TABLET  OF  TARAZAT 
TABLET  OF  THE  WORLD 

WORDS  OF  PARADISE 
TABLET  OF  TAJALLEYAT 

THE  GLAD  TIDINGS 


Revealed  by 
BAHA'U'LLAH 
^     AT  ACCA 


Translated  by 

ALI  KULI  KHAN 

(ISH'TE  AL,  EBN-KALANTER) 

Boston.  Mass.,  U.  S   A. 
1906 


Published  by 

BAHAI  PUBLISHING  SOCIETY 
Chicago,  111.,  U.  S.  A. 
1913 


Tablet  of  Tarazat 


360770 


TABLET   OF   TARAZAT 


In  My  Name,  the  Protector  over  all  Names! 

Praise  and  glory  belong  unto  the  King  of  Names 
and  the  Creator  of  Heavens,  the  waves  of  the  Sea 
of  Whose  Appearance  are  manifest  and  evident  be- 
fore the  faces  of  all  in  the  world.  The  Sun  of  His 
Command  is  submitted  to  no  covering,  and  His 
Word  of  Affirmation  is  beyond  the  reach  of  nega- 
tion. Neither  the  restriction  of  tyrants  nor  the  op- 
pression wrought  by  Pharaohs  could  withhold  Him 
from  His  Will.  Glorified  is  His  Power  and  great 
is  His  Grandeur! 

Praise  be  unto  God!  Although  Signs  (or  Verses) 
have  encompassed  the  world,  and  proofs  and  ar- 
guments are  shining  forth  and  manifest  from  all 
directions  like  unto  the  light,  yet  ignorant  servants 
(or  people)  are  found  heedless,  nay,  even  contra- 
dictory. O  that  they  were  content  with  mere  con- 
tradicting! Nay,  but  they  are  all  the  time  plotting 
to  cut  down  the  Blessed  Tree.  From  the  beginning 
of  this  Dispensation  the  manifestors  of  selfishness 


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have  exerted  themselves  with  all  tyranny  and  injus- 
tice to  extinguish  the  Light  of  God;  but,  verily, 
God  prevented  them  therefrom,  and  through  His 
Power  caused  the  Light  to  appear  and  protected  it 
through  His  Might,  until  the  heaven  and  earth  were 
illuminated  with  its  radiance  and  brightness !  Praise 
be  unto  Him  under  all  circumstances! 

Glory  be  unto  Thee,  O  Thou  God  of  the  World 
and  Desire  of  Nations,  O  Thou  Who  hast  become 
manifest  in  the  Greatest  Name,  whereby  the  pearls 
of  Wisdom  and  Utterance  have  appeared  from  the 
shells  of  the  great  Sea  of  Thy  Knowledge,  and  the 
heavens  of  Religions  are  adorned  with  the  light  of 
the  Appearance  of  the  Sun  of  Thy  Countenance ! 

I  beg  of  Thee — by  that  Word,  by  reason  of  which 
Thy  Proof  was  made  perfect  among  Thy  creatures 
and  Thy  Argument  among  Thy  servants — to 
strengthen  Thy  people  in  that,  whereby  the  face  of 
the  Cause  will  radiate  in  Thy  Dominion  and  the 
standards  of  Thy  Power  and  the  banners  of  Thy 
Guidance  will  be  planted  in  Thy  lands  and  among 
Thy  servants! 

0  my  God !   Thou  beholdest  them  clinging  to  the 
rope  of  Thy  Grace  and  holding  fast  unto  the  hem 
of  the  mantle  of  Thy  Beneficence.     Ordain  for  them 
that  which  may  draw  them  nearer  unto  Thee,  and 
withhold  them  from  all  else  save  Thee. 

1  beg  of  Thee,  O  Thou  King  of  existence  and  Pro- 
tector of  the  seen  and  unseen,  to  make  whosoever 

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arises  to  serve  Thy  Cause  as  a  sea  moving  by 
Thy  Desire;  ablaze  with  the  Fire  of  Thy  Sadrat, 
shining  from  the  horizon  of  the  Heaven  of  Thy 
Will.  Verily,  Thou  art  the  Mighty  One,  whom 
neither  the  power  of  all  the  world,  nor  the  strength 
of  nations  can  weaken.  There  is  no  God  but  Thee, 
the  One,  the  Single,  the  Protector,  the  Self-subsistent! 

O  thou  who  hast  drunk  the  Choice  Wine  of  My 
Utterance  from  the  Cup  of  My  Knowledge! 

In  this  Day,  the  following  Words  were  heard 
from  the  rustling  of  the  Sadrat'ul-Muntaha,  which 
is  planted  by  the  Hand  of  Power  of  the  King  of 
Names,  in  the  Exalted  Paradise : 

THE  FIRST  TARAZ  * 

and  the  First  Tajalli,f  which  has  risen  from  the 
horizon  of  the  "  Mother-Book," §  is  that  man 
should  know  his  own  self,  and  know  those  things 
which  lead  to  loftiness  or  to  baseness,  to  shame  or 
to  honor,  to  affluence  or  to  poverty.  After  man  has 
realized  his  own  being  and  become  mature,  then  for 
him  wealth  (or  competence)  is  needed.  If  this1 


*  Taraz  literally  means  ornament  or  an  ornamented  mantle.  As  a 
robe  is  adorned  by  ornaments,  so  likewise  man  is  adorned  by  practicing 
these  Words. 

t  Tajalliat  is  the  plural  of  "  Tajalli  "  and  literally  means  splendors  or 
rays  of  light.  As  the  light  illumines  the  body  of  the  world,  so  the  light 
of  these  Words  and  Commands  illumines  the  inner  heart  of  man. 

§  "  Mother-Book,"  or  "  Mother  of  the  Book,"  is  an  expression  in  the 
Koran.  It  means  the  Manifestation  of  God  from  whom  all  Books  and 
Teachings  proceed. 


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wealth  is  acquired  through  a  craft  and  profession,  it 
is  approvable  and  worthy  of  praise  to  men  of  wis- 
dom, especially  to  those  servants  [i.  e.,  men]  who 
arise  to  train  the  world  and  beautify  the  souls  of 
nations.  These  are  the  cup-bearers  of  the  Kawther 
of  Knowledge  and  the  guides  to  the  Ideal  Path. 
They  direct  the  people  of  the  whole  world  unto  the 
Right  Path,  and  instruct  them  in  that  which  is  con- 
ducive to  the  elevation  and  progress  of  being. 

The  Right  Path  is  a  path  which  leads  man  to  the 
day-spring  of  Perception  and  dawning-place  of 
Knowledge  and  directs  him  to  that  which  is  the  cause 
of  honor  and  glory  and  greatness.  We  hope  that,  by 
the  providence  of  the  Wise  Physician,  the  dust  will  be 
removed  from  his  eyes  and  (the  clearness  of)  his 
sight  will  increase;  so  that  he  may  discover  that 
for  which  he  has  been  created.  In  this  Day  that 
which  will  decrease  blindness  and  increase  sight  is 
worthy  of  attention.  To  the  possessors  of  wisdom 
this  (spiritual)  sight  is  the  minister  and  guide  of 
knowledge.  The  apprehension  of  knowledge  is  due 
to  the  power  of  seeing  [insight].  The  people  of 
Baha'  must,  in  all  cases,  act  and  advise  (people)  in 
that  which  is  worthy. 

THE  SECOND  TARAZ 

is  to  consort  with  (the  people  of)  religions  with  joy 
and  fragrance;  to  show  forth  (in  deeds,  etc.)  that 
which  is  declared  by  the  Speaker  of  the  Mount;  and 

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to  render  justice  in  affairs.  The  followers  of  Sin- 
cerity and  Faithfulness  must  consort  with  all  the  peo- 
ple of  the  world  with  joy  and  fragrance;  for  associa- 
tion (intercourse)  is  always  conducive  to  union  and 
harmony,  and  union  and  harmony  are  the  cause  of 
the  order  of  the  world  and  the  life  of  nations. 
Blessed  are  they  who  hold  fast  to  the  rope  of  Com- 
passion and  Kindness  and  are  detached  from  ani- 
mosity and  hatred ! 

This  Oppressed  One  exhorts  the  people  of  the 
world  to  Forbearance  and  Benevolence  (or  well-do- 
ing). These  are  as  two  lights  for  the  darkness  of 
the  world  and  as  two  teachers  to  lead  nations  to 
knowledge.  Blessed  are  those  who  attain  thereto, 
and  woe  unto  those  who  are  heedless ! 

THE  THIRD  TARAZ 

is  concerning  Good  Character.*  Good  Character  is, 
verily,  the  best  mantle  for  men  on  the  part  of  God; 
by  this,  God  adorns  the  temples  of  His  friends.  By 
My  Life,  the  light  of  good  character  surpasses  the 
light  of  the  sun  and  its  effulgence.  He  who  attains 
thereto  is  accounted  as  the  essence  of  men.  Upon 
this  the  honor  and  glory  of  the  world  are  based  and 
are  dependent.  Good  character  is  the  means  of  guid- 
ing men  to  the  Right  Path  and  the  Great  Message. 

*  The  original  word,  translated  above  as  "  Good  Character,"  has  also 
the  following  meanings:  Good  manners,  good  disposition,  good  qualities, 
good  nature,  good  temper,  good  morals,  etc. 


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Blessed  is  he  who  is  adorned  with  the  attributes  and 
virtues  of  the  Supreme  Concourse ! 

Gaze  toward  Justice  and  Equity  under  all  circum- 
stances. This  exalted  Utterance  has  been  revealed, 
from  the  Pen  of  ABHA,  in  the  "  Hidden  Words  " : 

"O  Son  of  Spirit! 

"  The  best  of  all  to  Me  is  Justice.  Desire  thou 
not  to  cast  it  away  if  thou  desirest  Me,  and  neglect 
it  not,  that  thou  may'st  be  faithful  to  Me,  for  by  it 
thou  wilt  attain  to  see  the  things  with  thine  own  eyes 
and  not  by  the  eyes  of  the  creatures,  and  know  them 
by  thine  own  knowledge  and  not  by  the  knowledge  of 
any  in  the  world.  Meditate  on  this — how  thou 
oughtest  to  be.  Justice  is  one  of  My  Gifts  to  thee 
and  one  of  My  Cares  over  thee,  therefore  put  it  be- 
fore thine  eyes  continually." 

The  possessors  of  Justice  and  Equity  occupy  the 
highest  station  and  loftiest  rank:  the  lights  of  Right- 
eousness and  Piety  radiate  and  shine  from  such  souls. 
It  is  hoped  that  nations  and  countries  may  not  be 
deprived  of  the  lights  of  these  two  orbs. 

THE  FOURTH  TARAZ 

is  on  Trustworthiness.  Verily,  this  is  the  door  of 
tranquillity  to  all  in  the  world,  and  the  sign  of  glory 
from  the  presence  of  the  Merciful  One.  Whosoever 
attains  thereto  has  attained  to  treasuries  of  wealth 
and  affluence.  Trustworthiness  is  the  greatest  door 
to  the  security  and  tranquillity  of  mankind.  The 

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stability  of  every  affair  always  depends  on  it,  and  the 
worlds  of  honor,  glory  and  affluence  are  illuminated 
by  its  light. 

Sometime  since,  this  sweet  Utterance  was  revealed 
from  the  Supreme  Pen : 

"  Verily,  We  mention  unto  thee  Trustworthiness 
and  the  place  it  occupies  before  God,  thy  Lord  and 
the  Lord  of  the  Great  Throne.  One  day  We  repaired 
unto  our  Green  Island  [t.  e.y  Rizwan].  When  We 
entered  therein,  We  found  its  streams  flowing,  its 
trees  in  full  foliage,  and  the  sun  playing  through  the 
interstices  (of  their  branches). 

"  Turning  our  Face  to  the  right,  We  beheld  that 
which  the  pen  fails  to  describe,  nor  can  it  set  forth 
that  which  was  witnessed  by  the  Eye  of  the  Lord  of 
Mankind  in  that  Place,  which  is  the  Most  Pure,  the 
Most  Honored,  the  Most  Blessed,  the  Most  Lofty. 

"  We  then  advanced  toward  the  left.  There  We 
beheld  one  of  the  Countenances  of  the  Exalted  Para- 
dise, standing  on  a  pillar  of  Light,  and  calling  out  in 
the  loudest  voice,  saying:  'O  ye  concourse  of  heaven 
and  earth,  gaze  upon  my  beauty,  my  light,  my  ap- 
pearance and  my  effulgence.  By  God,  the  True  One, 
I  am  Trustworthiness,  its  manifestation  and  its 
beauty,  and  I  am  the  Reward  to  him  who  clings  there- 
to, who  knoweth  (the  loftiness  of)  its  rank  and  posi- 
tion and  holdeth  fast  unto  its  hem.  I  am  the  most 
great  ornament  to  the  people  of  Baha',  and  the  mantle 
of  honor  to  all  in  the  Kingdom  of  Emanation.  I  am 


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the  greatest  cause  for  the  affluence  of  the  world,  and 
the  horizon  of  tranquillity  to  the  people  of  existence.7 
Thus  have  We  revealed  unto  thee  that  which  will 
draw  mankind  near  unto  the  Lord  of  Creation ! 

"  O  people  of  Baha' !  Trustworthiness  is  the  best 
garment  for  your  temples  and  the  most  splendid 
crown  for  your  heads.  Adhere  thereto  by  the  com- 
mand of  the  Omnipotent  Commander!  " 

THE  FIFTH  TARAZ 

regards  the  preservation  and  protection  of  the  sta- 
tions of  the  servants  of  God.  They  must  not  make 
light  of  any  matter,  but  speak  in  Truthfulness  and 
Sincerity.  The  people  of  Baha'  must  not  refuse  to 
discharge  the  due  reward  of  any  one,  and  must  re- 
spect possessors  of  talent;  and  they  must  not  stain 
their  tongues  with  slander  (or  evil  words)  like  unto 
the  former  community  [i.  e.y  Islamites].  In  this  Day 
the  sun  of  arts  and  crafts  is  manifest  from  the  hori- 
zon of  the  heaven  of  the  Occident,  and  the  river  of 
skill  is  flowing  from  the  sea  of  that  part.  One  must 
speak  with  justice  and  recognize  the  worth  of  bene- 
fits. By  the  Life  of  God,  the  word  Justice  is  shin- 
ing and  luminous  like  unto  the  sun :  We  beg  of  God 
to  illuminate  all  with  its  lights.  Verily,  He  is 
Powerful  in  all  things  and  is  worthy  to  grant ! 

In  these  days,  Truthfulness  and  Sincerity  are  cap- 
tive in  the  claws  of  falsehood,  and  Justice  is  op- 
pressed by  the  scourges  of  injustice.  The  smoke  of 

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corruption  has  so  enveloped  the  world  that  naught  is 
seen  from  any  direction  save  armies  and  naught  is 
heard  from  any  region  except  the  clashing  of  swords. 
We  beg  of  God  to  assist  the  appearances  of  His 
power  [rulers,  et  al.']  in  that  which  is  conducive  to  the 
reformation  of  the  world  and  the  welfare  of  nations. 

THE  SIXTH  TARAZ: 

Knowledge  is  one  of  the  greatest  benefits  of  God. 
To  acquire  knowledge  is  incumbent  on  all.  These 
visible  arts  and  present  implements  are  from  the  re- 
sults of  His  Knowledge  and  Wisdom,  which  have 
been  revealed  from  the  Supreme  Pen.  The  Supreme 
Pen  is  that  Pen  from  the  treasury  of  which  the  gems 
of  Wisdom  and  Utterance,  and  the  arts  of  all  the 
world  have  appeared  and  become  manifest.  In  this 
Day  the  mysteries  of  this  earth  are  unfolded  and  vis- 
ible before  the  eyes,  and  the  pages  of  swiftly  appear- 
ing newspapers  are  indeed  the  mirror  of  the  world; 
they  display  the  doings  and  actions  of  the  different  na- 
tions ;  they  both  illustrate  them  and  cause  them  to  be 
heard.  Newspapers  are  as  a  mirror  which  is  endowed 
with  hearing,  sight  and  speech ;  they  are  a  wonderful 
phenomenon  and  a  great  matter.  But  it  behooveth 
the  writers  [editors,  et  al.']  thereof  to  be  sanctified 
from  the  prejudice  of  egotism  and  desire  and  to  be 
adorned  with  the  ornament  of  Equity  and  Justice; 
they  must  inquire  into  matters  as  much  as  possible,  in 

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order  that  they  may  be  informed  of  the  real  facts, 
and  commit  the  same  to  writing. 

Concerning  this  Oppressed  One,  whatever  the 
newspapers  have  mentioned  is  mostly  devoid  of  truth. 
Good  Speech  and  Truthfulness  are,  in  loftiness  of  po- 
sition and  rank,  like  unto  the  sun  which  hath  risen 
from  the  horizon  of  the  heaven  of  knowledge.  The 
waves  of  this  Sea  are  visible  before  the  faces  of  all  in 
the  world,  and  the  traces  of  the  Pen  of  Wisdom  and 
Utterance  are  manifest. 

They  have  written  in  newspapers  that  this  servant 
hath  fled  from  Persia  and  gone  to  Irak  Arabic 
[Baghdad]  !  Praise  be  to  God,  this  servant  hath 
not  concealed  himself  even  for  an  instant  and  hath 
been  always  standing  and  present  before  all  faces. 
Verily,  we  have  not  fled,  nor  do  we  flee;  nay,  rather, 
the  ignorant  servants  [f.  e.,  people]  have  fled  from 
us !  We  left  our  native  land,  and  horsemen,  commis- 
sioned by  the  Persian  and  Russian  governments, 
escorted  us  until  we  arrived  at  Irak  with  glory  and 
power.  Praise  be  to  God,  the  matter  of  this  Op- 
pressed One  is  exalted  (or  evident)  like  unto  heaven 
and  is  shining  and  luminous  as  the  sun.  Conceal- 
ment hath  no  access  to  this  Station,  and  dread  and 
silence  have  no  place  therein ! 

The  Mysteries  of  the  Resurrection  Day  and  the 
Signs  of  the  "Hour"  have  all  become  manifest,  but 
the  people  are  heedless  and  veiled. 

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"  Ancl  when  the  seas  shall  be  filled  up,  and  when 
the  Books  shall  be  laid  open."*  By  God,  the  True 
One,  the  "  Morn"  hath  dawned,  the  "  Light"  hath 
shone  and  the  "  Night "  is  gone  by.  Blessed  are 
those  who  know!  Blessed  are  those  who  have 
attained ! 

Praise  be  to  God !  The  pen  wonders  what  to  write 
and  the  tongue  knoweth  not  what  to  utter !f  After 
extraordinary  difficulties  and  many  years'  imprison- 
ment, captivity  and  afflictions,  it  is  now  found  that 
greater  veils  than  those  which  have  been  removed 
have  intervened,  have  prevented  the  eyes  from 
seeing  and  eclipsed  the  light  of  understanding. 
Newly  charged  calumnies  are  found  to  be  many  times 
greater  than  former  ones. 

O  people  of  Beyan!  Fear  God:  meditate  on  the 
former  community  [Islam],  on  their  action  and  its 
result.  Except  with  those  whom  God  hath  protect- 
ed through  His  Power,  all  that  they  have  said  is  false 
and  all  that  they  have  done  is  wrong. 

By  the  Life  of  the  Desired  One,  were  one  to  re- 
flect on  this  matter  he  would  advance  toward  the 
Most  Great  Orb,  severed  from  the  world;  and  he 
would  sanctify  and  purify  himself  from  the  dust  of 
imaginations  and  the  smoke  of  superstitions.  What 
and  who  was  the  cause  that  the  former  community 

*  Verses   quoted    from   the   Koran    to    point   out   that   all   of   them    have 
become  fulfilled  in  this  Manifestation. 
fAn  expression  of  astonishment. 

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[Islam]  was  misled?*  They  still  reject  (this 
Truth)  and  are  advancing  toward  their  own  fancies. 
Sincerely  to  please  God,  this  Oppressed  One  says: 
"  Whosoever  wishes  let  him  advance  and  whosoever 
wishes  let  him  turn  away.  Verily,  God  is  independ- 
ent from  all  that  was  and  is  "  \Koran\. 

O  people  of  Beyan!  The  obstacles  and  veils  (of 
Islamites)  were  some  men  like  unto  Hadi  of  Doulat 
Abad,f  who,  with  turban  and  staff  \_i.  e.y  their  cler- 
ical position],  afflicted  the  helpless  people  with  such 
superstitions  that  they  still  await  the  appearance  of 
an  imaginary  person  from  an  imaginary  place.  Be 
ye  admonished,  O  ye  endowed  with  understanding! 

O  Hadi !  Hearken  unto  the  Voice  of  the  Trust- 
worthy Exhorter.  Advance  from  the  left  to  the 
Right  and  from  doubt  to  Assurance.  Be  not  a 
cause  of  misleading  (people).  The  shining  Light 
of  the  Cause  is  manifest  and  the  Signs  pervade  (the 
world).  Turn  thy  face  toward  God,  the  Protector, 
the  Self-subsistent !  Forbear  for  the  sake  of  God, 
and  leave  the  people  (to  themselves).  Thou  art 
uninformed  of  the  Principal  Point  and  knowest  it 
not.  O  Hadi  1  Be  thou  of  one  face  in  the  Path  of 
God.  Thou  art  a  polytheist  with  the  polytheists  and 
a  believer  in  One  God  with  the  believers  in  Divine 
Unity.  Reflect  upon  those  souls  who  sacrificed  their 

*  i.   e.,   did  not  believe  in  this  Manifestation  at  the  coming  of  the  BAB. 

t  One  of  the  chief  Ezelis  who  preached  against  BAHA'U'LLAH  and  thus 
was  a  great  obstacle  and  veil  to  those  followers  of  the  BAB,  who,  as 
Ezelis,  considered  him  their  teacher. 


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lives  and  property  in  that  land;*  perchance  thou 
mayst  be  admonished  and  warned.  Is  he  who  pro- 
tects his  body,  his  life  and  his  property,  better  than 
he  who  sacrifices  all  these  in  the  Path  of  God?  Be 
just  and  be  not  of  those  who  do  wrong.  Cling  unto 
Justice  and  hold  fast  to  Equity;  so  that  perchance 
thou  mayst  not  use  religion  as  a  snare  and  shut  thine 
eyes  from  God  for  the  sake  of  gold.  The  injustice 
wrought  by  thee  and  by  those  like  unto  thee  has  gone 
so  far  that  the  Supreme  Pen  is  engaged  in  such  say- 
ings. Fear  God.  Verily,  the  Precursor  [the  BAB] 
has  said:  "  Verily,  He  (whom  God  shall  manifest) 
[i.  e.,  BAHA']  will  utter  in  every  state :  VERILY,  I  AM 
GOD  !  THERE  is  NO  GOD  BUT  ME,  THE  PROTECTOR, 
THE  SELF-SUBSISTENT  1" 

O  ye  people  of  Beyan!  They  [i.  c.y  Ezel,  et  al.~\ 
have  forbidden  you  to  meet  the  Friends  [Bahais]  : 
what  is  the  cause  and  reason  of  this  prohibition?  Be 
ye  just,  in  Truth,  and  be  not  of  the  heedless.  To 
the  men  of  perception  the  cause  and  reason  of  this 
prohibition  is  manifest  and  evident;  it  is  that  no  one 
may  become  cognizant  of  his  [Ezel's]  secrets  and 
deeds. 

O  Hadi!  Thou  hast  not  been  with  us,  and  thou 
art  not  informed:  act  not  upon  mere  supposition. 
Besides,  look  into  the  Tablets  with  thine  own  sight 


*  i.  e.,  Esphahan;  where  "the  Sultan  of  the  Martyrs"  and  his  brother 
"  the  Beloved  of  the  Martyrs,"  Ashraf,  and  many  others  suffered  martyr- 
dom. 

15 


Tablet  of  Tarazat 

and  reflect  upon  that  which  has  appeared.  Show  pity 
on  thyself  and  on  mankind.  Be  not  the  cause  of  er- 
ror, like  unto  the  former  community  [£.  e.y  Islam].* 
The  Path  is  clear  and  the  Proof  is  manifest.  Ex- 
change oppression  for  Equity  and  injustice  for  Jus- 
tice. It  is  hoped  that  the  fragrance  of  Revelation 
may  strengthen  thee  and  that  the  ear  of  thy  soul  may 
hear  the  blessed  saying,  "  Say,  God  (sent  it  down)  : 
then  leave  them  to  amuse  themselves  with  their  vain 
discourse"  \Koran\. 

Thou  hast  gone  (to  Cyprus)  and  seen  (Ezel)  ; 
now  speak  with  justice  and  do  not  misrepresent  (the 
matter)  to  thyself  and  to  the  people.  Thou  art  both 
ignorant  and  uninformed;  hearken  to  the  Voice  of 
this  Oppressed  One,  and  intend  (to  reach)  the  Sea 
of  Divine  Knowledge,  perchance  thou  may'st  be 
adorned  with  the  ornament  of  understanding  and  for- 
sake all  else  save  God.  Hearken  to  the  Voice  of  the 
Compassionate  Counsellor  which  is  raised,  without 
veil  or  covering,  before  the  faces  of  kings  and  sub- 
jects; and  invite  all  the  people  of  the  world  to  the 
Lord  of  Pre-existence.  This  is  that  Word  from  the 
horizon  of  which  the  Orb  of  Grace  is  shining  and 
gleaming ! 

O  Hadi !  This  Oppressed  One,  severed  from  the 
world,  has  bestowed  abundant  effort  on  extinguishing 
the  fire  of  animosity  and  hatred  which  is  aflame  in 

*  i.  e.,  like  unto  the  Mullahs  of  Islam,  who,  in  the  coming  of  the  BAB, 
misled  the  people  and  withheld  them   from  believing  in  His   Message. 

16 


Tablet  of  Tarazat 

the  hearts  of  peoples.  Every  just  and  equitable  per- 
son must  thank  God — Exalted  is  His  Glory! — and 
arise  to  serve  this  Most  Great  Cause;  perchance 
light  may  appear  in  place  of  fire,  and  love  instead  of 
animosity. 

By  the  Life  of  God!  This  is  the  purpose  of  this 
Oppressed  One.  In  declaring  this  most  great  mat- 
ter, and  in  demonstrating  it,  We  have  endured  calam- 
ities, hardships  and  adversities.  Thou  are  thyself  a 
witness  to  that  which  has  been  said,  wert  thou  to 
speak  with  justice !  Verily,  God  sayeth  the  Truth  and 
guideth  to  the  Path;  and  He  is  the  Powerful,  the 
Mighty,  the  Gracious! 

El-Baha'  [Glory]  from  Our  Presence  be  upon 
the  people  of  Baha',  whom  neither  the  oppression  of 
the  unjust,  nor  the  power  of  the  iniquitous,  could 
withhold  from  God,  the  Lord  of  the  creatures! 

Here  ends  the  Tablet  of  Tarazat. 


Tablet  of  the  World 


TABLET   OF  THE  WORLD 


In  My  Name,  The  Speaker  in  the 
Kingdom  of  Bey  an ! 

Praise  and  glorification  behooveth  the  Manifest 
King  who  hath  adorned  the  Strong  Prison  [Acca] 
with  the  presence  of  his  holiness  Ali-Kabli-Akbar 
and  his  holiness  Ameen,  and  ornamented  it  with  the 
lights  of  Assurance,  Steadfastness  and  Tranquillity. 
The  Glory  [literally,  Baha']  of  God  and  the  Glory 
of  all  in  the  heaven  and  earth  be  upon  both  of  them! 

Light  and  Glory  [Baha'J,  Greeting  and  Praise 
be  upon  the  Hands  of  His  Cause  [/.  e.f  devoted 
teachers],  through  whom  the  light  of  Long-suffering 
hath  shone  forth,  and  the  declaration  of  authority 
is  proven  of  God,  the  Powerful,  the  Mighty,  the  In- 
dependent; and  through  whom  the  Sea  of  Bestowal 
hath  moved,  and  the  Breeze  of  the  Favor  of  God, 
the  Lord  of  mankind,  hath  wafted.  We  beg  of  Him 
— Exalted  is  He! — to  protect  them  [i.  e.,  devoted 
teachers]  through  His  hosts,  to  guard  them  by  His 
dominion,  and  to  assist  them  by  His  power  which 
hath  conquered  all  things.  The  dominion  belongs  to 

21 


Tablet   of  the  World 

God,  the  Maker  of  Heaven,  and  the  King    of    the 
Kingdom  of  Names ! 

The  GREAT  MESSAGE  commands: 

O  ye  people  of  Persia!  Ye  have  been  the  day- 
springs  of  Mercy  and  the  dawning-places  of  Com- 
passion and  Love;  and  the  regions  of  existence  have 
been  illuminated  and  adorned  with  the  light  of  your 
Knowledge  and  Wisdom.  How  is  it  that  you  have 
arisen  to  destroy  yourselves  and  your  friends  with 
your  own  hands  ? 

O  my  Afnan!*  Upon  thee  be  my  Baha'  and  Fa- 
vor! The  Tent  of  the  Divine  Cause  is  great;  it  shall 
envelop  all  the  nations  of  the  world.  The  day  is 
your  day,  and  a  thousand  Tablets  are  your  evidence. 
Arise  to  assist  the  Cause,  and  be  engaged  in  subduing 
the  minds  and  souls  of  the  people  of  the  world 
through  the  host  of  Utterance.  You  must  show 
forth  that  which  will  be  conducive  to  the  welfare  and 
tranquillity  of  the  helpless  ones  of  the  world.  Gird 
up  the  loins  of  effort;  perchance  the  slaves  may  be 
emancipated  from  bondage  and  find  freedom.  In 
this  Day,  the  cry  of  Justice  is  raised  and  the  lamenta- 
tion of  Equity  is  heard.  The  dark  smoke  of  oppres- 


*  "Afnan  "  means,  in  Arabic,  "  twigs."  This  title  is  given  to  the  rela- 
tions of  the  BAB  and  to  his  cousins,  due  to  their  relationship  to  the 
Tree  of  the  Cause.  The  term  "Afnan  "  has  also  been  symbolically  applied 
by  BAHA'U'LLAH  to  sincere  believers,  of  whom  He  speaks  as  the  twigs  and 
parts  of  the  Tree  of  the  Manifestation. 

22 


Tablet  of  the  World 

sion  hath  enveloped  the  world  and  nations.  Through 
the  motion  of  the  Supreme  Pen  a  new  life  of  Sig- 
nificances is  breathed  into  the  body  of  words  by  the 
command  of  the  Ideal  Commander,  and  the  effects 
thereof  are  visible  and  manifest  in  all  the  things  of 
the  world.  This  is  the  Most  Great  Glad-tidings 
which  hath  flowed  from  the  Pen  of  this  Oppressed 
One. 

Say:  O  friends!  Why  fear,  and  whom  shall  ye 
dread?  These  clay-pieces  of  the  world  shall  be  dis- 
integrated by  a  slight  moisture.  Your  union  itself 
will  be  conducive  to  scattering  superstitious  souls. 
Strife  and  conflict  are  characteristic  of  the  ferocious 
beasts  of  the  earth.  By  the  Assistance  of  God,  the 
sharp  swords  of  the  Babi  Community  have  been  re- 
turned to  the  scabbards  through  good  words  and 
pleasing  deeds.  The  righteous  have  always,  through 
good  words,  taken  possession  of  the  gardens  of 
Existence. 

Say:  O  friends!  Do  not  forsake  Wisdom. 
Hearken  to  the  Exhortations  of  the  Supreme  Pen 
with  the  ear  of  Intelligence.  No  one  of  all  the  peo- 
ple of  the  world  should  suffer  harm  from  your  hands 
or  tongues. 

Concerning  the  Land  of  Ta  [i.  e.,  Teheran]  we 
have  revealed  in  the  Book  of  Akdas  that  which  is 
conducive  to  warning  all  in  the  world.  The  unjust 
ones  of  the  world  have  usurped  the  rights  of  nations, 
and  are  with  all  power  and  strength  occupied  with 

23 


Tablet  of  the  World 

their  own  lustful  desires.  The  Tyrant*  of  the  Land 
of  Ya  [«'.  e.y  Yazd]  wrought  that  wherefore  the 
eyes  of  the  Supreme  Concourse  shed  tears  of  blood. 

O  thou  who  art  drinking  the  Choice  Wine  of  My 
Utterance  and  gazing  toward  the  horizon  of  My 
Manifestation!  How  is  it  that  the  people  of  Persia, 
notwithstanding  their  precedence  in  sciences  and  arts, 
are  now  found  to  be  the  lowest  among  all  the  peoples 
of  the  world?  O  people!  In  this  blessed,  brilliant 
Day,  deprive  not  yourselves  of  the  Bounties  of  the 
Bounteous  One.  In  this  Day,  the  rains  of  Wisdom 
and  Utterance  are  descending  from  the  clouds  of 
Mercy  of  the  Merciful  One.  Blessed  is  he  who  ren- 
ders Justice  in  the  Matter,  and  woe  unto  those  who 
are  unjust! 

In  this  Day  every  knowing  one  testifies  that  the 
Utterances,  which  are  revealed  from  the  Pen  of  this 
Oppressed  One,  are  the  greatest  cause  for  the  eleva- 
tion of  the  world  and  the  development  of  nations. 
Say :  O  people  I  Arise  to  assist  yourselves  through 
the  heavenly  Power,  that  perchance  the  earth  may 
be  purified  and  purged  from  the  idols  of  superstitions 
and  imaginations  which  are,  forsooth,  the  cause  of 
the  failure  and  humiliation  of  the  helpless  people. 
These  idols  intervene  and  withhold  the  people  from 
progress  and  loftiness.  It  is  hoped  that  the  Hand  of 


/.  e.,  the  Governor  of  Yazd,  who  martyred  seven  believers  in  one  day, 
one  after  another,  some  time  before  the  Departure  of  BAHA'U'LLAH. 

24 


Tablet  of  the  World 

Power  will  assist,  and  will  deliver  the  creatures  from 
the  great  baseness. 

It  is  revealed  in  one  of  the  Tablets:  "  O  people 
of  God!  Be  not  occupied  with  yourselves.  Be  in- 
tent on  the  betterment  of  the  world  and  the  training 
of  nations."  The  betterment  of  the  world  can  be 
accomplished  through  pure  and  excellent  deeds  and 
well-approved  and  agreeable  conduct.  The  helper 
of  the  Cause  is  Deeds  and  its  assistant  is  Good  Char- 
acter. O  people  of  Baha' !  Hold  fast  unto  Piety  I 
This  is  that  which  is  commanded  by  this  Oppressed 
One  and  chosen  by  the  Potent  One. 

O  friends!  in  this  soul-refreshing  Springtime,  it 
behooveth  you  to  be  refreshed  and  verdant  through 
the  Divine  Vernal  Shower.  A  great  Sun  has  diffused 
its  rays  and  the  Cloud  of  Mercy  is  overspread.  Suc- 
cessful is  he  who  did  not  make  himself  portionless, 
and  recognized  the  Friend  in  this  Garment. 

Say:  The  Ahrimans*  are  lurking  in  ambush:  be 
ye  aware  and  deliver  yourselves  from  every  darkness 
through  the  Light  of  the  Name  of  the  Discerning 
One.  Have  ye  regard  for  (the  interest  of)  the 
world,  and  not  for  yourselves.  Ahrimans  are  such 
souls  as  intervene  and  interpose  between  men  and  ex- 
altation and  loftiness  in  their  positions.  In  this  Day, 


*  "Ahriman "  is  the  tempter,  demon,  evil  spirit  of  the  Zoroastrian 
Scripture.  Here  BAHA'U'LLAH  uses  the  term  to  denote  all  those  men, 
teachers  and  leaders,  who  mislead  men  and  tempt  them  away  from  the 
Truth. 

25 


Tablet   of  the  World 

it  is  incumbent  and  obligatory  upon  all  to  adhere  to 
that  which  is  conducive  to  the  progress  and  elevation 
of  the  just  government  and  people.  In  every  one  of 
the  Verses,  the  Supreme  Pen  hath  opened  doors  of 
Love  and  Union.  We  have  said — and  Our  Saying  is 
Truth — "  Consort  with  all  the  (people  of)  Re- 
ligions with  joy  and  fragrance ".  Through  this 
Utterance,  whatever  was  the  cause  of  foreignness, 
discord  and  disunion  has  been  removed. 

Concerning  the  progress  of  existence  and  the  de- 
velopment of  men  We  have  revealed  that  which  is 
the  greatest  Door  to  the  training  of  the  people  of  the 
world.  All  that  hath  been  formerly  revealed  from 
the  tongue  or  pen  of  the  people  of  the  past,  the 
King  thereof  is  indeed  revealed  in  this  Most  Great 
Manifestation  from  the  Heaven  of  Will  of  the  Lord 
of  Pre-existence.  In  former  ages  it  has  been  said: 
"  To  love  one's  native  land  is  Faith."  But  the 
Tongue  of  Grandeur  hath  said  in  the  Day  of  (this) 
Manifestation:  "  Glory  is  not  his  who  loves  his 
native  land;  but  glory  is  his  who  loves  his  kind."  By 
these  exalted  Words  He  taught  the  birds  of  souls  a 
new  flight  and  effaced  restriction  and  blind  imitation 
from  the  Book.  This  Oppressed  One  hath  forbidden 
the  people  of  God  (to  engage  in)  strife  and  conflict, 
and  summoned  them  to  good  deeds,  and  to  spiritual 
and  pleasing  morals.  In  this  Day  the  hosts  which 
assist  the  Cause  are  (good)  deeds  and  (good) 

26 


Tablet  of  the  World 

morals.  Blessed  are  they  who  adhere  thereto,  and 
woe  unto  those  who  reject  them ! 

O  people  of  God!  I  exhort  you  to  Courtesy.* 
Courtesy  is,  in  the  primary  station,  the  lord  of  all 
virtues.  Blessed  is  he  who  is  illumined  with  the  light 
of  Courtesy,  and  is  adorned  with  the  mantle  of  Up- 
rightness! He  who  is  endowed  with  Courtesy  (or 
Reverence)  is  endowed  with  a  great  station.  It  is 
hoped  that  this  Oppressed  One,  and  all,  will  attain 
to  it,  adhere  to  it,  hold  unto  it,  and  observe  it.  This 
is  the  Irrefutable  Command  which  hath  flowed  and 
is  revealed  from  the  Pen  of  the  Greatest  Name. 

This  Day  is  a  Day  wherein  the  gems  of  Stead- 
fastness must  appear  from  the  mine  of  man.  O  peo- 
ple of  Justice !  Ye  must  be  luminous  like  unto  light, 
and  be  ablaze  as  the  Fire  of  the  Sinaitic  Tree.  This 
Fire  of  Love  will  assemble  all  the  different  peoples  in 
one  court;  but  the  fire  of  animosity  is  the  cause  of 
disunion  and  conflict.  We  beg  of  God  to  protect  His 
servants  from  the  evil  of  His  enemies.  Verily,  He  is 
Powerful  in  all  things ! 

Praise  be  to  God!  The  True  One — Exalted  is 
His  Glory! — hath  opened  the  doors  of  the  minds 
and  souls  through  the  Key  of  the  Supreme  Pen. 
Every  one  of  the  revealed  Verses  is  a  manifest  door 
to  the  appearance  of  spiritual  virtues  and  holy  deeds. 
This  Voice  and  this  Utterance  is  not  particularized  to 


*  The    word    translated    here     "  Courtesy,"    means    also    "  Reverence,1 
'  Propriety  of  conduct,"   etc. 

27 


Tablet   of  the  World 

one  country  or  one  city.  The  people  of  the  world  in 
general  must  adhere  to  that  which  is  revealed  and 
hath  appeared,  so  that  they  may  attain  to  the  Real 
Freedom.  The  world  is  illuminated  with  the  lights 
of  the  Orb  of  Manifestation;  for  in  the  "year  sixty"* 
the  Precursor — May  the  lives  of  all  else  save  Him 
be  a  sacrifice  to  Him! — announced  the  glad-tidings 
of  the  New  Life,  and  in  the  "year  eighty"!  the  world 
attained  to  the  New  Light  and  the  Wonderful  Life. 
Now  most  of  the  people  of  the  lands  are  prepared  to 
hearken  unto  the  Exalted  Word,  upon  which  depends 
and  is  based  the  resuscitation  and  resurrection  of  all. 

In  the  Prison,  Acca,  We  have  revealed  in  the  Red 
Epistle  that  which  is  conducive  to  the  elevation  of 
men  and  to  the  cultivation  (or  prosperity)  of  coun- 
tries. Among  others,  these  (following)  Utterances 
have  been  revealed  therein,  from  the  Pen  of  the  King 
of  Existence. 

The  greatest  Foundations  upon  which  depends  the 
administration  of  people  are  the  following: 

First:  The  Ministers  [Counsellors,  i.  e.,  mem- 
bers] of  the  House  of  Justice  must  promote  the  Most 
Great  Peace,  in  order  that  the  world  may  be  freed 

*  The  "  Year  Sixty "  means  the  year  1260  A.  H.  (1844  A.  D.)  in 
which  the  BAB  appeared.  The  Mohammedan  prophecies  and  traditions 
speak  in  this  term  concerning  the  year  in  which  the  New  Manifestation 
was  to  appear. 

f  The  "Year  Eighty"  means  the  year  1280  A.  H.  (1863  A.  D.),  i.  e., 
nineteen  years  after  the  appearance  of  the  BAB.  It  is  the  year  of 
BAHA'U'LLAH'S  Declaration,  upon  his  removal  from  Baghdad  to  Con- 
stantinople. He  declared  Himself  nineteen  years  after  the  rise  of  the 
BAB,  in  fulfilment  of  the  prophecy  made  in  the  Beyan. 

28 


Tablet  of  the  World 

from  onerous  expenditures.  This  Matter  is  obliga- 
tory and  indispensable;  for  warfare  and  conflict  are 
the  foundation  of  trouble  and  distress. 

Second :  Languages  must  be  reduced  to  one,  and 
that  one  language  must  be  taught  in  all  the  schools 
of  the  world. 

Third:  All  must  adhere  to  the  means  which  is 
conducive  to  Love  and  Unity. 

Fourth:  Men  and  women  must  place  a  part  of 
what  they  earn  by  trade,  agriculture  or  other  busi- 
ness, in  charge  of  a  trustworthy  person,  to  be  spent  in 
the  education  and  instruction  of  the  children.  That 
deposit  must  be  invested  in  the  education  of  the  chil- 
dren, under  the  advice  of  the  Trustees  (or  members) 
of  the  House  of  Justice. 

Fifth:  Complete  regard  should  be  had  to  the 
matter  of  Agriculture.  Although  this  matter  is  men- 
tioned in  the  Fifth,  yet  in  reality  it  is  endowed  with 
the  first  station.  Agriculture  is  greatly  developed  in 
foreign  countries,  but  in  Persia  it  has  still  remained 
unheeded.  It  is  hoped  that  the  Shah — May  God 
assist  him ! — will  concern  himself  with  this  great  and 
important  matter. 

To  resume:  Were  they  to  adhere  to  that  which 
has  been  revealed  by  the  Supreme  Pen  in  the  Red 
Epistle,  they  shall  find  themselves  independent  of 
[fulfilling]  all  the  laws  of  the  world.  Certain  Ut- 
terances have  repeatedly  poured  forth  from  the  Su- 
preme Pen,  that  perchance  the  Day-springs  of  Power 

29 


Tablet   of  the  World 

and  Dawning-places  of  the  Divine  Might  [«.  e.y 
rulers  and  administrators]  may,  sometime,  be  en- 
abled to  enforce  them.  Were  seekers  to  be  found, 
all  that  hath  appeared  from  the  Absolute  Penetrative 
Will  would  be  declared  sincerely  to  please  God; 
but  where  is  the  seeker,  where  is  the  enquirer,  where 
is  the  just  one?  Now,  every  day,  a  fire  of  oppression 
is  ablaze,  and  a  sword  of  blood-shed  is  unsheathed. 
Praise  be  to  God!*  The  grandees  of  Persia  and  the 
high  nobility  glory  in  savage  qualities.  "  Such 
stories  add  astonishment  to  astonishment!  " 

This  Oppressed  One  is  night  and  day  engaged  in 
thanking  and  praising  the  Lord  of  mankind,  for  it  is 
witnessed  that  (our)  exhortations  and  advice  have 
produced  effect,  and  the  conduct  and  manners  of  this 
community  have  attained  to  the  rank  of  (God's)  Ac- 
ceptance; because  an  event  has  occurred  which  is 
the  means  of  illumining  the  eyes  of  all  in  the  world: 
it  is  this,  that  the  friends  [Bahais]  have  interceded 
for  the  enemies  before  the  Princes  and  Rulers.  Good 
deeds  bear  witness  to  the  truth  of  words.  It  is  hoped 
that  the  righteous  will  illuminate  the  world  through 
the  light  of  deeds.  I  beg  of  God — Exalted  and 
Blessed  is  He! — to  enable  all,  in  His  Days,  to  be 
steadfast  in  His  Love  and  in  His  Cause.  Verily, 
He  is  the  Friend  of  the  sincere  and  of  those  who 
practice ! 


:  Used  as  an  expression  of  wonder. 

30 


Tablet  of  the  World 

O  people  of  God !  The  Supreme  Pen  hath  caused 
worlds  [i.  e.}  higher  spiritual  states  or  conditions]  to 
appear,  and  hath  bestowed  Ideal  Light  on  the  eyes. 
But  most  of  the  people  in  Persia  have  ever  been  be- 
reft of  profitable  utterances  and  holy  sciences  and 
arts. 

In  the  preceding  day,  this  exalted  Word  was  espe- 
cially revealed  for  one  of  the  Friends  from  the  Su- 
preme Pen,  that  perchance  the  people  of  denial  may 
attain  unto  Faith,  and  penetrate  the  intricacies  of  fun- 
damental Divine  Matters,  and  be  thereby  admon- 
ished. 

The  deniers  and  contradictors  hold  to  four  words : 

First:  Destroying  men's  lives  [literally,  behead- 
ing men]. 

Second:     Burning  the  Books. 

Third:     Shunning  other  nations. 

Fourth:     Exterminating  other  communities. 

Now,  by  the  Grace  and  Authority  of  the  Word  of 
God,  these  four  great  barriers  have  been  demolished. 
These  four  manifest  decrees  have  been  effaced  from 
the  Book,  and  God  hath  changed  brutal  manners  into 
spiritual  qualities.  Glorified  is  His  Will !  Exalted  is 
His  Power!  Great  is  His  Dominion ! 

Now,  beg  ye  of  God — Exalted  is  His  Glory! — 
and  We  beg  of  Him  also  to  guide  the  Shi'ite  com- 
munity and  to  deliver  them  from  unworthy  attri- 
butes. In  every  day  the  tongue  of  every  individual 
of  that  community  uttereth  many  a  curse;  and  the 

31 


Tablet   of  the  World 

word    "  Mal'Don "     [accursed],    pronounced    with 
guttural  "  o,"  is  one  of  their  daily  foods. 


O  my  God !  O  my  God !  Thou  hearest  the  cry  of 
Thy  Baha'  and  his  lamentation  in  days  and  nights; 
and  Thou  knowest  that,  verily,  he  hath  not  desired 
aught  for  himself,  but  hath  desired  to  sanctify  the 
souls  of  Thy  servants  [i.  e.}  people]  and  deliver 
them  from  the  fire  of  hatred  and  animosity,  which 
surrounds  them  at  all  times.  O  my  Lord!  The 
hands  of  the  Chosen  Ones  are,  verily,  stretched  to- 
ward the  heaven  of  Thy  Bounty,  and  those  of  the 
Sincere  Ones  toward  the  firmament  of  Thy  Be- 
stowal. I  beg  of  Thee  not  to  disappoint  them  in 
that  which  they  have  desired  from  the  sea  of  Thy 
Gift,  from  the  heaven  of  Thy  Grace,  and  from  the 
sun  of  Thy  Generosity.  O  my  Lord!  Strengthen 
them  in  such  virtues,  whereby  their  stations  may  be 
exalted  among  nations.  Verily,  Thou  art  the  Power- 
ful, the  Mighty,  the  Bestower! 


O  people  of  God!  Hearken  unto  that,  the  hearing 
of  which  is  conducive  to  the  deliverance,  tranquillity, 
security,  exaltation  and  loftiness  of  all  men  in 
general ! 

Certain  laws  and  principles  are  necessary  and  in- 
dispensable for  Persia;  but  it  is  suitable  that  these 
should  be  accomplished  in  accord  with  the  wish  of 
His  Majesty  the  Shah — May  God  assist  him! — the 

32 


Tablet   of  the  World 

eminent  doctors  and  the  great  state  authorities.  Un- 
der their  advice  a  place  must  be  appointed,  and  they 
must  assemble  together  in  that  place,  and  hold  fast 
to  the  rope  of  Consultation,  and  decide  upon  and  ex- 
ecute that  which  is  conducive  to  the  people's  security, 
affluence,  welfare  and  tranquillity.  For,  if  this  mat- 
ter be  managed  otherwise,  it  would  lead  to  discord 
and  tumult.  In  the  principal  Laws  and  Command- 
ments which  have,  ere  this,  been  revealed  in  the  Book 
of  Akdas  and  other  Tablets  affairs  have  been  placed 
in  charge  of  just  kings  and  chiefs,  and  of  the  trustees 
of  the  House  of  Justice.  Upon  reflection,  men  of 
equity  and  discernment  will  witness,  with  outward 
and  inward  eyes,  the  effulgence  of  the  orb  of  Justice 
in  all  that  We  have  revealed.  At  present  that  form 
of  government  [f.  e.y  representative  government] 
followed  by  the  British  nation  seems  good;  for  that 
nation  is  illuminated  both  with  the  light  of  king- 
dom* and  consultation. 

In  our  laws  and  principles  a  chapter  has  been  de- 
voted to  the  Law  of  Retaliation  (for  homicide, 
etc.)  which  is  the  cause  of  the  protection  and  preser- 
vation of  people;  but  the  people's  dread  of  that  law 
withholds  them  only  outwardly  from  committing  base 
and  unseemly  deeds.  But  that  which  prevents  and 
guards  men  both  outwardly  and  inwardly  ( from  base 
deeds)  is  the  Fear  of  God. 


*  "  Kingdom "    with     a     small     "  k."      The    sentence     means    that    the 
British   people   have    both   a   King   and    Parliament. 

33 


Tablet  of  the  World 

The  Fear  of  God  is  the  real  guardian  and  the 
ideal  protector.  Men  must  adhere  and  hold  fast  unto 
that  which  is  conducive  to  the  appearance  of  this 
great  Gift.  Blessed  is  he  who  hearkens  unto  what 
My  Supreme  Pen  hath  uttered,  and  acts  in  accord 
with  that  which  is  commanded  on  the  part  of  the 
Ancient  Commander. 

O  people  of  God  I  Hearken  unto  the  Exhortations 
of  the  Unique  Friend  with  the  ear  of  the  soul.  The 
Word  of  God  is  like  unto  a  tree:  its  planting-ground 
must  be  the  hearts  of  the  people :  cultivate  it  through 
the  Kawther  of  Wisdom  and  Utterance,  so  that  its 
roots  may  become  firm,  and  its  branches  surpass  the 
Firmament. 

O  ye  people  of  the  world!  The  virtue  of  this 
Most  Great  Manifestation  is  that  We  have  effaced 
from  the  Book  whatever  was  the  cause  of  difference, 
corruption  and  discord,  and  recorded  therein  that 
which  leads  to  Unity,  Harmony  and  Accord.  Joy 
unto  those  who  practice ! 

We  have  repeatedly  exhorted  the  friends  to  avoid, 
nay,  to  flee  from  that  which  is  redolent  of  corruption 
(or  sedition).  The  world  is  in  confusion,  and  the 
opinions  of  men  are  discordant.  I  beg  of  God  to 
adorn  them  with  the  light  of  His  Justice,  and  to  make 
known  unto  them  that  which  will  profit  them  under 
all  circumstances.  Verily,  He  is  the  Self-sufficient, 
the  Most  High ! 

34 


Tablet  of  the  World 

We  have  previously  uttered  this  exalted  Word. 
Those  souls  who  are  related  to  this  Oppressed  One 
[i.  e.y  the  believers]  must  be  (as  free)  as  a  showering 
cloud  in  occasions  of  generosity  and  beneficence,  and 
must  be  a  blazing  flame  in  consuming  the  inordinate 
desire. 

Glory  be  to  God!*  In  these  days,  what  causes 
great  astonishment  has  appeared.  According  to 
what  has  been  heard,  a  certain  person  has  entered  the 
Capital  of  the  Persian  Government,  and  influenced 
a  number  of  the  grandees  by  his  own  will.  Indeed, 
such  case  is  a  case  worthy  lamenting  and  moaning 
over.  How  is  it  that  the  day-springs  of  highest  glory 
have  chosen  greatest  shame  for  themselves?  What 
became  of  steadfastness?  Where  is  the  sense  of 
honor?  The  sun  of  Greatness  and  Knowledge  hath 
been  permanently  rising  and  dawning  from  the  hori- 
zon of  Persia;  now  she  has  degenerated  to  such  a 
low  pitch  that  some  of  her  highest  officials  have  al- 
lowed themselves  to  be  as  playthings  to  the  ignorant. 

The  person  in  question  wrote  concerning  this  com- 
munity in  the  newspapers  of  Egypt  and  in  the  "  En- 
cyclopedia of  Beyrout "  that  which  caused  astonish- 
ment to  men  of  Knowledge  and  Wisdom.  Then  he 
departed  to  Paris,  and  published  a  paper  under  the 
title  "  Orwat  'ul  Wothga  "  [i.  e.,  "  The  Firmest 
Support "],  and  distributed  it  throughout  the  world. 


Used  as  an  expression  of  astonishment. 

35 


Tablet  of  the  World 

He  also  sent  one  copy  to  the  Prison,  Acca;  and  by 
this  means  he  expressed  affection,  his  purpose  being 
to  provide  [atone]  for  his  past  actions. 

To  be  brief:  This  Oppressed  One  kept  silence 
concerning  him.  I  beg  of  God  to  protect  him,  and 
to  illuminate  him  with  the  light  of  Justice  and  Fair- 
ness. It  beseems  him  to  say: 

O  my  God!  O  my  God!  Thou  beholdeSt  me 
standing  before  the  door  of  Thy  Forgiveness  and 
Bestowal  and  gazing  toward  the  horizons  of  Thy 
Favors  and  Graces.  I  beg  of  Thee,  by  Thy  Sweet 
Voice,  and  by  the  sound  of  Thy  Supreme  Pen,  O 
Thou  Lord  of  mankind,  to  strengthen  Thy  servants 
in  that  which  befits  Thy  Days  and  is  worthy  Thy 
Manifestation  and  Dominion.  Verily,  Thou  art 
Powerful  to  do  that  which  Thou  wiliest.  All  in 
the  Heavens  and  earth  testify  to  Thy  Power,  Thy 
Might,  Thy  Grandeur  and  Thy  Munificence.  Praise 
be  unto  Thee,  O  Thou  God  of  all  the  creatures,  and 
Thou  Beloved  of  the  hearts  of  the  Knowing!  * 

Thou  beholdest,  O  my  God,  the  essence  of  Pov- 
erty intending  (to  reach)  the  sea  of  Thy  Wealth, 
and  the  being  of  Transgression  (to  attain)  the  run- 
ning-water of  Thy  Forgiveness  and  Bestowal.  Or- 
dain, O  my  God,  that  which  befitteth  Thy  Grandeur, 
and  behooveth  the  Heaven  of  Thy  Grace.  Verily, 
Thou  art  the  Bounteous,  the  Gracious,  the  Com- 

36 


Tablet   of  the  World 

mander,  the  Wise  One !   There  is  no  God  but  Thee, 
the  Powerful,  the  Conqueror,  the  Potent! 

O  people  of  God!  In  this  Day,  the  gaze  of  all 
must  be  extended  only  to  the  horizon  of  the  blessed 
Word:  "  He  doeth  whatsoever  He  willeth !  "  for,  if 
any  one  attains  to  this  station,  he  has  attained,  and  is 
illumined  by  the  light  of  Ideal  Oneness;  and  all  those 
outside  this  station  are  written  and  spoken  of  as  fol- 
lowers of  superstitions  and  imaginations  in  the  Book 
of  God. 

Hearken  ye  unto  the  Voice  of  this  Oppressed  One, 
and  preserve  your  ranks.  This  matter  is  incumbent 
and  obligatory  upon  all.  This  Oppressed  One  hath 
during  nights  and  days  uttered  before  the  faces  of  all 
in  the  world  that  which  is  the  Key  to  the  doors  of 
Sciences,  Arts,  Wisdom,  Peace,  Affluence  and  Wealth. 
The  tyranny  of  oppressors  could  not  withhold  the 
Supreme  Pen  from  motion,  and  the  suspicions  of  the 
doubters  and  evil  doers  could  not  prevent  Him  from 
declaring  the  Exalted  Word.  I  beg  and  ask  of  God 
under  all  circumstances  to  guard  and  purify  the  peo- 
ple of  Baha'  from  the  superstitions  and  imagina- 
tions of  the  former  community  [/.  e.,  Islamites]. 

O  people  of  God!  The  rightly  guided  men  of 
learning,  who  engage  in  enlightning  the  people  and 
are  protected  and  preserved  from  the  temptations  of 
inordinate  desire — such  men  are  accounted  of  the 
stars  of  the  Heaven  of  Knowledge,  before  God,  the 

37 


Tablet  of  the  World 

Object  of  all  the  world.  To  respect  them  is  obliga- 
tory. They  are  the  flowing  fountains,  the  shining 
stars,  the  fruits  of  the  Blessed  Tree,  the  Signs  of  the 
Divine  Power,  and  the  Seas  of  the  Eternal  Wisdom. 
Blessed  is  he  who  adheres  to  them.  Verily,  he  is  of 
those  who  have  attained,  in  the  Book  of  God,  the 
Lord  of  the  Great  Throne ! 

Glory  from  the  Presence  of  God,  the  Lord  of  the 
Throne  and  Dust,  be  upon  you,  O  people  of  Baha', 
and  O  companions  of  the  Red  Ark!  And  (glory  be) 
upon  those  who  hear  your  sweet  voice  and  practice 
that  whereunto  they  are  commanded  in  this  Tablet, 
the  Mighty,  the  Wonderful ! 

Here  ends  the  Tablet  of  the  World 
or  The  Great  Message. 


Words  of  Paradise 


WORDS   OF   PARADISE 


He  is  the  Speaker  in  Truth  in  the 
Kingdom  of  El-Beyan! 

O  ye  dawning-places  of  equity  and  justice,  ye 
sources  of  faithfulness  and  favor! 

Verily,  this  Wronged  One  weeps  and  says,  while 
lamenting  and  crying,  O  my  God!  O  my  God! 
Adorn  the  heads  of  Thy  holy  ones  with  the  diadem 
of  Severance,  and  their  temples  [bodies]  with  the 
garment  of  Piety. 

It  behooveth  the  people  of  El-Baha'  to  assist  the 
Lord  through  their  utterance  and  to  preach  unto  the 
world  through  their  deeds  and  good  morals.  The 
effect  of  deeds  is  greater  than  the  effect  of  words. 

O  Hayder-Kabli-Ali !  Upon  thee  be  the  praise 
of  God  and  His  Baha' !  Verily  man  becomes  lofty 
through  his  trustworthiness,  chastity,  judgment  and 
virtues,  and  falleth  through  treachery,  falsehood, 
folly  and  hypocrisy.  By  my  life,  man  does  not  be- 

This  Tablet  was  revealed  to  Hadji-Mirza-Hayder-Ali  of  Isphahan,  or 
"  Hayder-Kabli-Ali,"  a  prominent,  venerable  Bahai  teacher,  still  living 
and  now  in  Acca.  He  is  highly  praised  for  his  beautiful,  grand  life, 
his  humility  and  meekness,  his  righteousness  and  steadfastness,  and  for 
the  firmness  he  has  shown  in  consecrating  a  long  life  to  the  spread  of 
this  great  Truth,  suffering  years  of  tribulations,  imprisonment  and  exile 
in  various  cities  and  lands. 

41 


Words   of  Paradise 

come  great  through  ornaments  and  riches,  but 
through  good  conduct  and  knowledge. 

Most  of  the  people  of  Persia  are  reared  in  deceit 
and  superstitions.  How  can  the  station  of  such  peo- 
ple be  compared  with  that  of  men  who  have  aban- 
doned the  gulf  of  names  and  pitched  their  tents  on 
the  shore  of  the  Sea  of  Sanctity !  Indeed,  the  men 
of  today  are  not  worthy  to  hearken  unto  the  warb- 
lings  of  the  Doves  of  the  Supreme  Paradise — except 
a  few,  "  and  few  of  My  servants  are  thankful  " 
[Koran}.  Most  of  the  servants  [people]  are  inti- 
mate with  superstitions;  they  prefer  a  single  drop  of 
the  sea  of  imagination  to  the  Ocean  of  Assurance. 
They  are  deprived  of  the  meaning  and  cling  to  mere 
name;  they  are  withheld  from  the  Day-spring  of  the 
Divine  Verses  (or  Signs)  and  hold  fast  unto  fancies. 
God  willing,  your  honor  will  under  all  circumstances 
be  enabled  to  break  the  idols  of  superstitions  and 
rend  asunder  the  veils  of  mankind.  The  Command 
is  in  the  Hand  of  God,  the  Manifestor  of  Revela- 
tion and  Inspiration  and  the  King  of  the  Day  of 
Resurrection ! 

All  that  his  honor — the  person  in  question — had 
said  concerning  some  of  the  teachers  was  heard.  He 
hath  spoken  in  truth.  Some  heedless  souls  are  trav- 
eling in  the  lands,  in  the  name  of  God,  but  are  en- 
gaged in  ruining  His  Cause:  they  call  it  "  assisting 
and  teaching,"  and  this,  notwithstanding  the  stars 
of  conditions  (guidance)  for  teachers  are  shining 

42 


Words   of  Paradise 

and  manifest  from  the  horizons  of  the  heavens  of  the 
Divine  Tablets. 

Every  just  one  testifies,  and  every  discerning  one 
knows  that,  during  night  and  day,  God — Exalted  is 
His  Glory! — hath  spoken  and  given  instruction  in 
that  which  conduces  to  exalt  the  station  and  grade  of 
man.  The  people  of  Baha'  are  shining  and  luminous, 
like  unto  lights  among  the  multitude,  and  they  adhere 
to  the  Will  of  God.  This  station  is  supreme  over  all 
stations.  Blessed  is  he  who  forsakes  all  that  the 
world  possesses,  in  hope  for  that  which  is  possessed 
by  God,  the  King  of  Pre-existence. 

Say:  O  my  God!  O  my  God!  Thou  beholdest 
me  revolving  around  Thy  Will,  gazing  toward  the 
horizon  of  Thy  Bounty,  and  anticipating  the  splen- 
dors of  the  lights  of  the  Orb  of  Thy  Bestowal.  I  beg 
of  Thee,  O  Thou  Beloved  of  the  hearts  of  the  know- 
ing, and  Thou  Aim  of  the  chosen  ones — to  grant 
that  Thy  friends  may  sever  themselves  from  their 
own  desires  and  hold  fast  unto  Thy  Desire. 

O  my  Lord!  Adorn  them  with  the  garment  of 
Righteousness,  and  illumine  them  with  the  light  of 
Severance.  Then  assist  them  with  the  hosts  of  wis- 
dom and  utterance — in  order  that  they  may  exalt  Thy 
Word  among  Thy  creatures  and  declare  Thy  Com- 
mand among  Thy  servants.  Verily,  Thou  art  power- 
ful to  do  that  which  Thou  wiliest,  and  in  Thy  Grasp 

43 


Words   of  Paradise 

are  the  reins  of  affairs !    There  is  no  God  save  Thee, 
the  Mighty,  the  Forgiving ! 

O  thou  who  art  gazing  toward  the  Face!  In 
these  days,  that  which  caused  the  greatest  sorrow 
was  inflicted  (on  us).  Some  of  the  oppressors,  who 
relate  themselves  unto  the  True  One,  perpetrated 
that  which  shook  the  limbs  of  sincerity,  faithfulness, 
equity  and  justice.  Though  exceeding  favor  and 
grace  were  shown  toward  a  certain  person,  yet  he 
committed  that  wherefore  the  Eye  of  God  wept.  We 
had  formerly  spoken  of  that  which  was  a  means  of 
warning  and  admonition,  and  we  concealed  his  deeds 
for  some  years;  perchance  he  might  be  admonished 
and  return.  But  this  was  of  no  effect.  Finally,  in 
the  face  of  men,  he  arose  to  dishonor  the  Cause  of 
God.  He  rent  the  covering  of  justice;  he  neither 
showed  pity  on  himself,  nor  on  the  Cause  of  God. 

Now,  the  sorrows  caused  by  the  deeds  of  some 
others  have  transcended  even  the  sorrows  caused  by 
his  action.  Ask  thou  God  that  He  may  assist  the 
heedless  souls  to  repent  and  return.  Verily,  He  is 
the  Forgiving,  the  Gracious,  the  Generous! 

In  these  days  all  must  adhere  to  union  and  har- 
mony, and  be  engaged  in  assisting  the  Cause  of  God : 
perchance  heedless  souls  may  attain  to  that  which 
is  conducive  to  eternal  salvation. 

In  brief,  the  discord  of  sects  has  caused  and  occa- 
sioned weakness.  Every  sect  has  followed  a  way 

44 


Words   of  Paradise 

and  held  fast  to  a  rope ;  notwithstanding  their  blind- 
ness and  ignorance  they  account  themselves  as  en- 
dowed with  judgment  and  perception.  Among  them 
are  the  mystics  (Sufis)  of  the  Islam  Religion.  Some 
of  these  souls  hold  to  that  which  causes  indolence  and 
solitude.  By  the  Life  of  God,  this  lowers  (man's) 
station  and  increases  pride.  Man  must  show  forth 
fruit.  A  fruitless  man,  in  the  words  of  His  Holiness 
the  Spirit  [/.  e.y  Christ],  is  like  unto  a  fruitless  tree, 
and  a  fruitless  tree  is  fit  for  fire. 

Those  souls  (mystic  Sufis)  have  affirmed  concern- 
ing the  stages  of  "  Divine  Unity  "  that  which  is  the 
greatest  cause  of  addicting  people  to  idleness  and 
superstition.  They  have,  indeed,  removed  the  dis- 
tinction and  have  imagined  themselves  to  be  God. 
The  True  One  is  sanctified  above  all;  (but)  His 
Signs  are  manifest  in  all  things.  The  signs  are  from 
Him — not  He  Himself — and  all  of  them  are  re- 
corded and  visible  in  the  volume  of  the  world.  The 
plan  of  the  world  is  a  great  Book;  everyone  endowed 
with  perception  can  grasp  (therefrom)  that  which 
shall  enable  him  to  attain  to  the  Right  Path  and  the 
u  Great  Message." 

Consider  the  rays  of  the  sun;  its  lights  have  en- 
compassed the  world,  but  these  splendors  are  from  it, 
and  from  its  manifestations;  they  are  through  itself, 
but  are  not  itself  (i.  e.,  its  essence  or  substance). 
Whatever  is  seen  on  the  earth  is  expressive  of  His 
Power,  Knowledge,  and  Grace;  while  He  (God)  is 

45 


Words   of  Paradise 

sanctified  from  all.  His  Holiness  Christ  says: 
"  Thou  hast  hidden  these  things  from  the  wise  and 
prudent,  and  hast  revealed  them  unto  babes." 

The  Philosopher  of  Sabzawar*  has  said:  "  The 
Voice  of  the  Sinaitic  Tree  is  found  in  every  tree;  but 
there  are  no  attentive  ears."  In  a  Tablet  to  one  of 
the  philosophers,  who  had  questioned  concerning  the 
"  Elementary  Reality,"*  We  have  said,  addressing 
the  already  mentioned  philosopher  [i.  e.y  Sabzawar] 
thus:  "  If  this  saying  hath  been  indeed  thine,  why 
then  hast  thou  not  heard  the  Voice  in  the  Tree  of 
Man  [£.  e.,  BAHA'U'LLAH  Himself],  which  is  raised 
on  the  loftiest  station  of  the  world?  If  thou  hast 
heard  it,  and  anxiety  and  fear  for  the  safety  of  thy 
life  prevented  thee  from  responding  to  it,  such  a  one 
(as  thou)  were  not  fit  to  be  mentioned;  but,  if  thou 
hast  not  heard  it,  thou  art  then  devoid  of  hearing." 
In  brief,  such  people  are — in  words — the  envy  of  the 
world,  but — in  deeds — the  shame  of  nations. 

Verily,  We  have  sounded  the  Trumpet,  and  that 
is  My  Supreme  Pen,  whereby  the  servants  are  pros- 
trated, except  those  whom  God  hath  protected  as  a 
favor  on  His  Part,  and  He  is  the  Pre-existent,  the 
Gracious !  O  concourse  of  the  learned  (in  religions)  ! 
Do  ye  reject  the  Pen  after  the  voice  thereof  has  been 


*  Haji  Mullah  Hadi  of  Sabzawar,  Khorassan,  Persia;  a  great  philosopher 
of  the   19th   century. 

"  The  Elementary  Reality  is  all  things,  yet  is  no  one  of  them."  One 
of  the  chief  features  of  the  philosophy  of  Mulla  Sadra,  a  great  Persian 
philosopher. 


46 


Words   of  Paradise 

raised?  The  Kingdom  of  El-Beyan  is  prepared  to 
hear  it;  and  every  utterance  is  humbled  before  His 
Great  and  Mighty  Utterance.  Fear  God,  and  fol- 
low not  superstitions  and  imaginations;  follow  Him 
who  hath  appeared  unto  you  with  manifest  Knowl- 
edge and  evident  Certainty. 

Praise  be  to  God!  The  treasury  of  man  is  his 
speech;  yet  this  Oppressed  One  has  refrained  from 
speaking,  for  the  deniers  are  lurking  in  ambush. 
Protection  is  from  God,  the  Lord  of  the  creatures. 
Verily,  We  have  trusted  in  Him,  and  resigned  our 
affairs  unto  Him;  He  is  enough  for  us,  and  enough 
for  all  things.  He  is  the  One  by  whose  command 
and  permission  the  Orb  of  Power  hath  shone  forth 
from  the  horizon  of  the  world.  Blessed  are  those 
who  behold  and  recognize,  and  woe  unto  those  who 
reject  and  deny! 

But  this  Oppressed  One  hath  loved  and  loves  the 
philosophers,  that  is — those  whose  philosophy  hath 
not  been  mere  words,  but  who  have  produced  lasting 
results  and  fruits  in  the  world.  To  respect  these 
blessed  souls  is  incumbent  on  all.  Blessed  are  those 
who  practice !  Blessed  are  those  who  know !  Blessed 
are  those  who  render  justice  in  affairs,  and  hold  fast 
to  the  rope  of  My  sound  equity! 

The  people  of  Persia  have  abandoned  the  Pro- 
tector and  Helper,  and  are  engaged  and  trust  in  the 
fancies  of  the  ignorant.  To  such  an  extent  have  they 
clung  to  superstitions  that  it  is  impossible  to  detach 

47 


Words   of  Paradise 

them  therefrom,  except  by  the  strong  arm  of  the 
True  One — Exalted  is  His  Glory!  Ask  thou  of 
God  to  remove  the  veils  of  the  (different)  sects 
through  the  finger  of  power,  so  that  they  all  may 
discover  the  means  of  protection,  exaltation  and  prog- 
ress, and  hasten  toward  the  Unique  Friend. 

[End  of  Introduction.] 

THE  WORDS  OF  PARADISE 

The  WORD  OF  GOD,  as  described  and  recorded  by 
the  Pen  of  ABHA  on  the  First  Leaf  of  the  Exalted 
Paradise : 

Truly,  I  say,  the  Fear  of  God  hath  ever  been  the 
perspicuous  protection  and  solid  fortress  for  the 
whole  community  of  the  world.  It  is  the  greatest 
means  for  the  protection  of  mankind,  and  the  chief 
cause  of  the  preservation  of  humanity.  Yea,  there 
exists  a  sign  in  the  being  (of  man)  which  guards 
and  protects  (him)  from  that  which  is  unworthy  and 
unbecoming.  That  sign  is  called  Modesty.  But  this 
virtue  is  assigned  to  a  few;  for  all  are  not  endowed 
with  this  station. 

The  WORD  OF  GOD  in  the  Second  Leaf  of  the  Ex- 
alted Paradise : 

At  this  moment  the  Supreme  Pen  exhorts  the  day- 
springs  of  power  and  dawning-places  of  authority, 
to-wit:  kings,  rulers,  chiefs,  princes,  learned  men 
(of  religion)  and  mystics  [Sufis,  et  #/.],  and  com- 

48 


Words   of  Paradise 

mands  them  to  hold  fast  to  Religion.  Religion  is 
the  greatest  instrument  for  the  order  of  the  world 
and  the  tranquillity  of  all  existent  beings.  The 
weakness  of  the  pillars  of  religion  has  encouraged  the 
ignorant  and  rendered  them  audacious  and  arrogant. 
Truly,  I  say,  whatever  lowers  the  lofty  station  of  re- 
ligion will  increase  heedlessness  in  the  wicked,  and 
finally  result  in  anarchy.  Hear,  O  ye  possessors  of 
perception!  Then  be  admonished,  O  ye  (who  are) 
endowed  with  sight ! 

The  WORD  OF  GOD  in  the  Third  Leaf  of  the  Ex- 
alted Paradise: 

O  Son  of  Man!  If  thou  lookest  toward  Mercy, 
regard  not  that  which  benefits  thee,  and  hold  to  that 
which  will  benefit  the  servants  (mankind)  :  If  thou 
lookest  toward  Justice,  choose  thou  for  others  what 
thou  choosest  for  thyself.  Verily,  through  meek- 
ness, man  is  elevated  to  the  heaven  of  power;  and 
again,  pride  degrades  him  to  the  lowest  station  of 
humiliation  and  abasement.  O  people  of  God!  The 
Day  is  Great,  and  the  Call  is  Mighty!  In  one  of 
the  Tablets  this  exalted  Word  is  revealed  from  the 
heaven  of  Will:  u  Were  the  power  of  the  (human) 
soul  entirely  transformed  into  the  sense  of  hearing, 
then  it  could  be  said  that  it  were  able  to  hear  this 
Call  which  is  raised  from  the  Supreme  Horizon, 
otherwise  these  polluted  ears  are  not  worthy  to  hear 
it."  Blessed  are  those  who  hear,  and  woe  unto  them 
who  are  heedless! 

49 


Words   of  Paradise 

The  WORD  OF  GOD  in  the  Fourth  Leaf  of  the  Ex- 
alted Paradise: 

O  people  of  God! — Exalted  is  His  Glory! — Ask 
God  to  guard  the  sources  of  power  and  authority 
[rulers,  et  al.~\  against  the  evil  of  egotism  and  lust, 
and  to  illumine  them  with  the  lights  of  justice  and 
guidance.  Two  abominable  deeds  proceeded  from 
His  Highness  Mohammed  Shah,*  notwithstanding 
the  loftiness  of  his  position.  One  was  the  exile  of 
the  King  of  the  Dominions  of  Bounty  and  Grace, 
His  Holiness  the  First  Point;  the  second  was  the 
murder  of  the  lord  of  the  city  of  counsel  and  of 
belles  lettres.f  In  brief,  his  [the  Shah's]  error  and 
bounty  were  great. 

A  king  whom  the  pride  of  authority  and  inde- 
pendence does  not  withhold  from  being  just,  and 
whom  benefits,  opulence,  glory,  hosts  and  legions  do 
not  deprive  of  the  splendors  of  the  Orb  of  Equity 
— such  a  king  shall  possess  a  lofty  station  and  an  ex- 
alted rank  in  the  Supreme  Concourse:  it  is  incum- 
bent on  all  to  assist  and  love  such  a  blessed  being. 
Blessed  is  the  ruler  who  controls  the  reins  of  the  ego, 
and  overcomes  his  wrath;  who  prefers  justice  to  op- 
pression and  equity  to  tyranny! 

The  WORD  OF  GOD  in  the  Fifth  Leaf  of  the  Ex- 
alted Paradise : 


*  The  grandfather  of  the  present  Shah,  in  the  latter  years  of  whose 
reign  the  BAB  appeared. 

t  Ka'im-Makam,  who  was  one  of  the  great  statesmen  and  men  of  letters. 
He  was  murdered  by  Mohammed  Shah  because  of  his  great  popularity. 

50 


Words   of  Paradise 

The  greatest  gift  and  the  highest  blessing,  in  the 
primary  station,  is  Wisdom.  It  is  the  Protector  of 
Existence,  and  its  Support  and  Helper.  Wisdom  is 
the  Messenger  of  the  Merciful  One,  and  the  Mani- 
festor  of  the  (Divine)  Name,  the  "  All-Wise." 
Through  Wisdom  the  station  of  man  is  evident  and 
manifest.  It  is  the  Knower  and  the  First  Teacher  in 
the  School  of  Existence,  and  it  is  the  Guide,  the  pos- 
sessor of  a  lofty  rank.  Under  the  auspices  of  its 
training  the  element  earth  was  endowed  with  pure 
soul  and  surpassed  the  firmament.  Wisdom  is  the 
first  Orator  in  the  City  of  Justice;  and  in  the  "  year 
nine  "*  it  illuminated  the  world  with  the  Glad-tid- 
ings of  the  Manifestation.  Wisdom  is  the  peerless 
Wise  One  who,  in  the  beginning  of  the  world, 
ascended  the  ladder  of  Significances;  and  when,  by 
the  Divine  Will,  it  occupied  the  pulpit  of  Utterance, 
it  spoke  in  two  words.  From  the  first  word  appeared 
the  glad  tidings  of  Promise  (of  reward),  and  from 
the  second  the  fear  of  Threat  (of  punishment) .  From 
Promise  and  Threat,  Fear  and  Hope  became  mani- 
fest, and  by  these  two  the  foundation  of  the  order  of 
the  world  was  established  and  consolidated.  Exalted 
is  the  Wise  One,  the  Possessor  of  Great  Bounty ! 


*  t.  e.,  the  "  year  nine  "  of  this  New  Dispensation,  beginning  with  the 
year  1844,  the  year  when  the  BAB  declared  his  Mission.  The  "  year 
nine "  was  prophesied  by  the  BAB  in  reference  to  BAHA'U'LLAH  and  his 
Mission,  though  BAHA'U'LLAH  did  not  make  his  public  Declaration  until 
the  time  of  his  removal  from  Baghdad  to  Constantinople  in  fulfillment  of 
another  prophecy  made  by  the  BAB  concerning  the  "  year  nineteen." 

51 


Words   of  Paradise 

The  WORD  OF  GOD  in  the  Sixth  Leaf  of  the  Ex- 
alted Paradise: 

The  light  of  men  is  Justice;  quench  it  not  with  the 
contrary  winds  of  oppression  and  tyranny.  The  pur- 
pose of  justice  is  the  appearance  of  unity  among  peo- 
ple. In  this  exalted  Word,  the  sea  of  God's  wisdom 
is  moving:  all  the  books  of  the  world  are  not  suf- 
ficient to  contain  its  interpretation. 

If  the  world  is  adorned  with  this  mantle,  the  sun 
of  the  saying — "  On  that  day  God  will  satisfy  them 
all  with  His  Abundance  " — will  appear  and  shine 
from  the  horizon  of  the  heaven  of  the  world.  Know 
ye  the  station  of  this  Utterance,  for  it  is  from 
the  loftiest  fruits  of  the  Tree  of  the  Supreme  Pen. 
Happy  is  he  who  heareth  and  attaineth ! 

Truly,  I  say,  all  that  has  descended  from  the 
Heaven  of  the  Divine  Will  is  conducive  to  the  order 
of  the  world,  and  to  the  furtherance  of  unity  and 
harmony  among  its  people.  Thus  hath  the  tongue 
of  this  Wronged  One  spoken  in  His  Great  Prison 
[Acca]  ! 

The  WORD  of  GOD  in  the  Seventh  Leaf  of  the 
Exalted  Paradise: 

O  ye  wise  men  among  nations!  Turn  your  eyes 
away  from  foreignness  and  gaze  unto  Oneness,  and 
hold  fast  unto  the  means  which  conduce  to  the  tran- 
quillity and  security  of  the  people  of  the  whole  world. 
This  span-wide  world  is  but  one  native  land  and  one 
locality.  Abandon  that  glory  which  is  the  cause  of 

52 


Words   of  Paradise 

discord,  and  turn  unto  that  which  promotes  har- 
mony. To  the  people  of  Baha'  glory  is  in  knowl- 
edge, good  deeds,  good  morals  and  wisdom — not 
in  native  land,  or  station.  O  people  of  the  earth; 
appreciate  the  worth  of  this  heavenly  Word,  for  it 
is  like  unto  a  ship  for  the  sea  of  Knowledge,  and  is 
as  the  sun  to  the  universe  of  Perception. 

The  WORD  of  GOD  in  the  Eighth  Leaf  of  the 
Exalted  Paradise: 

Schools  must  first  train  the  children  in  the  prin- 
ciples of  Religion,  so  that  the  Promise  and  the 
Threat,  recorded  in  the  Books  of  God,  may  prevent 
them  from  the  things  forbidden  and  adorn  them 
with  the  mantle  of  the  commandments:  But  this 
in  such  a  measure  that  it  may  not  injure  the  children 
by  resulting  in  ignorant  fanaticism  and  bigotry. 

The  trustees  [members]  of  the  House  of  Justice 
must  consult  upon  the  ordinances  as  they  are  out- 
wardly revealed  in  the  Book  and  then  enforce  of 
these  whatever  prove  agreeable  to  them.  Verily, 
God  will  inspire  them  with  that  which  He  willeth, 
and  He  is  the  Ruler,  the  Knower !  We  have  former- 
ly declared  that  speech  was  decreed  to  be  in  two 
languages,*  and  that  there  should  be  an  effort  to 
reduce  it  into  one.  So,  likewise,  should  it  be  with 
the  writings  of  the  world,  in  order  that  people  may 
not  waste  and  lavish  their  lives  in  the  study  of 

*  i.    e.,    in   this    Manifestation.      For    BAHA'U'LLAH   revealed   His    Tablets 
and  spoke  in  the  two  languages  of  Persian  and  Arabic. 

53 


Words   of  Paradise 

various  languages,  and  that  the  whole  earth  may  be 
considered  as  one  city  and  one  land. 

The  WORD  of  GOD  in  the  Ninth  Leaf  of  the 
Exalted  Paradise: 

Truly  I  say:  Moderation  is  desirable  in  every 
affair,  and  when  it  is  exceeded  it  leads  to  detriment. 
Consider  the  civilization  of  the  people  of  the  Occi- 
dent— how  it  has  occasioned  commotion  and  agita- 
tion to  the  people  of  the  world.  There  has  ap- 
peared an  infernal  instrument,  and  such  atrocity 
is  displayed  in  the  destruction  of  life,  the  like  of 
which  was  not  seen  by  the  eye  of  the  world,  nor 
heard  by  the  ears  of  nations.  It  is  impossible  to 
reform  (or  remove)  these  violent,  overwhelming 
evils,  except  the  peoples  of  the  world  become  united 
in  affairs,  or  in  One  Religion.  Hearken  ye  unto  the 
Voice  of  this  Oppressed  One,  and  adhere  to  the  Most 
Great  Peace! 

A  strange  and  wonderful  instrument  exists  in  the 
earth;  but  it  is  concealed  from  minds  and  souls.  It 
is  an  instrument  which  has  the  power  to  change  the 
atmosphere  of  the  whole  earth,  and  its  infection 
causes  destruction. 

Praise  be  to  God!*  A  wonderful  thing  is  per- 
ceived: the  lightning  (electricity)  and  similar  forces 
are  subdued  by  a  conductor,  and  act  by  his  com- 
mand. Exalted  is  the  Mighty  One  who  hath  made 


*  In  such  cases,  used  as  an  exclamation,  or  as  an  expression  of  wonder. 

54 


Words   of  Paradise 

manifest  that  which  He  desired,  through  His  abso- 
lute, Invincible  Command! 

O  people  of  Baha' !  Each  one  of  the  revealed 
Commands  is  a  strong  fortress  for  the  (protection 
of  the)  world.  Verily,  this  Oppressed  One  only 
wishes  your  security  and  elevation. 

We  exhort  the  men  [members]  of  the  House  of 
Justice,  and  command  them  to  guard  and  protect  the 
servants,  maid-servants  and  children.  They  must, 
under  all  circumstances,  have  regard  for  the  interests 
of  the  servants.  Blessed  is  the  prince  who  succors 
a  captive,  the  rich  one  who  favors  the  needy,  the 
just  man  who  secures  the  right  of  a  wronged  one 
from  the  oppressor,  and  the  trustee  who  performs 
what  he  is  commanded  on  the  part  of  the  Pre-ex- 
istent  Commander! 

O  Hayder-Kabli-Ali !  Upon  thee  be  my  Baha' 
and  praise !  (My)  Commands  and  exhortations  have 
encompassed  the  world ;  nevertheless  they  have  caused 
(us)  sorrows,  not  joy  and  happiness:  because  some 
of  those  who  pretend  to  love  [Me — i.  e.y  so  called 
believers]  have  arisen  in  oppression,  and  inflicted 
(upon  us)  that  which  was  not  wrought  by  even  the 
former  nations,  nor  by  the  Persian  Doctors  of  Re- 
ligion. We  have  formerly  said:  "My  imprison- 
ment is  not  My  affliction,  nor  is  it  what  I  have  suf- 
fered from  Mine  enemies,  but  rather  the  deeds  done 
by  My  (so  called)  friends  who  have  related  them- 

55 


Words   of  Paradise 

selves  to  My  Person,  and  commit  that  whereby  My 
Heart  and  My  Pen  lament." 

We  have  repeatedly  revealed  similar  Utterances, 
but  they  have  not  profited  the  heedless  ones,  for  they 
are  found  to  be  captives  to  egotism  and  lust.  Ask 
thou  God  to  enable  all  of  them  to  repent  and  return. 
As  long  as  the  ego  is  subject  to  carnal  desires,  sin 
and  error  continue.  It  is  hoped  that  the  hand  of  the 
Divine  Mercy,  and  the  blessings  of  the  Compas- 
sionate One  may  assist  them  all,  and  adorn  them  with 
the  garment  of  forgiveness  and  favor;  and  that  He 
may  also  guard  them  from  that  which  impairs  His 
Cause  among  His  servants.  Verily,  He  is  the  Power- 
ful, the  Mighty,  and  He  is  the  Forgiving,  the  Mer- 
ciful! 

The  WORD  of  GOD  in  the  Tenth  Leaf  of  the 
Exalted  Paradise: 

O  people  of  the  earth  I  A  solitary  life  and  severe 
discipline  do  not  meet  (God's)  approval.  The  pos- 
sessors of  perception  and  knowledge  should  look  un- 
to the  means  which  are  conducive  to  joy  and  fra- 
grance. Such  practices  come  forth  and  proceed  from 
the  loins  of  superstition  and  the  womb  of  fancy,  and 
are  not  worthy  the  people  of  knowledge.  Some  of 
the  people  of  the  past  and  of  later  times  dwelt  in 
mountain  caves,  and  others  frequented  the  tombs 
during  the  night.  Say:  Hearken  to  the  advice  of 
this  Oppressed  One.  Abandon  that  which  ye  hold, 
and  adhere  unto  what  the  Trustworthy  Counsellor 

56 


Words   of  Paradise 

commands.  Deprive  not  yourselves  of  that  which 
is  created  for  you. 

Charity  is  beloved  and  acceptable  before  God,  and 
is  accounted  the  chief  among  all  good  deeds.  Con- 
sider, and  then  remember  that  which  the  Merciful 
One  has  revealed  in  the  Koran:  "  But  (they) 
prefer  them  (the  poor)  before  themselves,  although 
there  be  indigence  araong  them.  He  who  is  pre- 
served from  the  covetousness  of  his  own  soul,  such 
shall  surely  prosper."  Indeed,  this  blessed  Word  is, 
in  this  connection,  a  sun  among  words:  Blessed  is 
he  who  prefers  his  brother  before  himself:  Such  an 
one  is  of  the  people  of  Baha\  in  the  Red  Ark,*  on 
the  part  of  God,  the  Knower,  the  Wise! 

The  WORD  of  GOD  in  the  Eleventh  Leaf  of  the 
Exalted  Paradise: 

We  command  the  appearance  of  Names  and  At- 
tributes \_i.  e.,  holy  souls  who  teach  the  Truth]  to 
adhere  henceforth  unto  that  which  has  been  revealed 
in  this  Most  Great  Manifestation,  and  not  to  be- 
come a  cause  of  discord,  and  to  look  unto  the  hori- 
zon of  this  Luminous  Word,  as  revealed  in  this 
Epistle,  unto  the  end  beyond  which  there  is  no  end. 
Discord  is  the  cause  of  bloodshed  and  entails  revolu- 


*  The  "  Red  Ark  "  is  the  spiritual  ark  in  which  those  who  attained  to 
the  highest  station  in  the  Love  of  God  are  saved  from  the  tempests  of 
the  world.  This  also  refers  to  the  state  of  "  Martyrdom  "  which  is  the 
highest  state  to  attain  in  the  Cause  of  God.  "  Red  Ark  "  also  sym- 
bolizes the  "  Covenant,"  and  those,  who  are  firm  and  steadfast  therein 
in  this  Day,  are  of  the  people  of  Salvation. 

57 


Words   of  Paradise 

tion  among  the  servants  [i.  e.y  people].  Hearken 
to  the  Voice  of  this  Wronged  One,  and  depart  not 
therefrom. 

If  one  ponders  over  that  which  is  revealed  in  this 
Manifestation  from  the  Supreme  Pen,  he  will  know 
for  a  certainty  that,  in  all  that  this  Wronged  One 
hath  spoken,  He  has  had  no  intention  to  establish 
any  position  or  rank  for  Himself.  But  it  has  been 
our  aim  to  uplift  men  through  exalted  Words  unto 
the  Supreme  Horizon,  and  prepare  them  to  hearken 
unto  that  which  conduces  to  the  sanctifying  and  pu- 
rifying of  the  people  of  the  world  from  the  strife  and 
discord  which  result  from  differences  in  religions  (or 
sects).  Whereunto  My  Heart  and  My  Pen,  My 
Manifest  and  My  Hidden  (Being)  bear  witness. 
God  willing,  they  all  will  turn  unto  the  treasuries 
which  are  deposited  within  themselves. 

O  people  of  BahaM  The  Reflective  Faculty  (or 
the  Mind)  is  the  depository  of  crafts,  arts  and 
sciences.  Exert  yourselves,  so(  that  the  gems  of  knowl- 
edge and  wisdom  may  proceed  from  this  ideal  mine, 
and  conduce  to  the  tranquillity  and  union  of  the  dif- 
ferent nations  of  the  world. 

Under  all  circumstances — whether  in  adversity  or 
comfort,  in  glory  or  affliction — this  Wronged  One 
has  commanded  all  to  show  forth  love  and  affection, 
compassion  and  union.  Whenever  any  exaltation  and 
loftiness  appeared  (in  the  Cause),  those  hidden  be- 
hind coverings  would  come  forth  and  speak  calum- 

58 


Words   of  Paradise 

niating  words  which  were  sharper  than  a  sword. 
They  cling  to  false  and  rejected  words,  and  are 
deprived  and  withheld  from  the  sea  of  the  Divine 
Verses.  If  such  coverings  had  not  intervened  Persia 
would  have  been  subdued  by  the  Divine  Utterance 
in  hardly  more  than  two  years,  the  position  of 
both  the  State  and  the  people  would  have  become 
exalted,  and  the  intended  Aim  would  have  appeared 
in  its  fullest  manifestation  without  concealment  or 
covering. 

In  brief,  We  have  said  all  that  was  necessary  to  be 
said,  formerly  by  allusion,  and  recently  in  explicit 
words.  And  after  Persia  had  been  reformed,  then 
the  fragrances  of  the  Word  would  have  been  diffused 
in  other  countries.  For  all  that  has  flowed  from  the 
Supreme  Pen  has  been  and  is  conducive  to  the  eleva- 
tion, exaltation  and  training  of  all  the  people  of 
the  world,  and  is  the  greatest  antidote  for  all  dis- 
eases— were  they  to  understand  and  perceive. 

In  these  days  their  honors  the  Afnan*  and  Ameen 
— upon  them  be  My  Baha'  and  Favor ! — attained  to 
(Our)  Presence  and  Meeting;  so  likewise,  Nabil,  the 
son  of  Nabil,  and  the  son  of  Samander — Upon  them 
be  the  Glory  of  God  and  His  Favor! — are  present, 
and  drink  from  the  cup  of  Union.  We  beg  of  God 
to  ordain  good  for  them  in  this  world  and  in  the 


"  Afnan  "  literally  means  "  Twigs."  This  term  is  used  to  denote  the 
cousins  of  the  BAB,  because  of  their  relation  to  the  "  Tree  "  of  God's 
Manifestation. 

59 


Words   of  Paradise 

world  to  come,  and  to  send  down  upon  them  His 
Blessings  from  the  heaven  of  His  Grace  and  from 
the  clouds  of  His  Mercy.  Verily,  He  is  the  most 
Merciful  of  the  Merciful,  and  He  is  the  Gracious, 
the  Beneficent! 

O  Hayder-Kabli-Ali !  Your  other  letter  which  you 
had  sent  to  the  name  "  Jood  "*  reached  the  Court 
of  Holiness.  Praise  be  to  God,  it  was  adorned  with 
the  light  of  unity  and  sanctity  and  was  ablaze  with 
the  fire  of  love  and  affection.  Ask  thou  God  to 
strengthen  the  eyes,  and  to  illumine  them  with  a  new 
light;  perchance  they  may  attain  to  that  which  is 
Peerless  and  Unique.  In  this  Day  the  Verses  of 
the  "  Mother-Book "  are  shining  and  beam- 
ing like  unto  the  sun,  and  cannot  be  confounded  with 
former  and  latter  words.  Verily,  this  Wronged  One 
does  not  desire  to  prove  His  Cause  through  that 
which  has  appeared  from  others.  He  (God)  is 
the  All-comprehending,  and  all  else  save  Him  is 
comprehended  (in  Him)!  Say,  O  people!  Read 
what  ye  possess,  and  We  will  read  what  We  possess. 
By  the  Life  of  God !  Neither  the  words  of  all  the 
creatures,  nor  that  which  all  nations  possess,  is  wor- 
thy of  mention  before  (Our)  Utterance.  Where- 
unto  testifies  the  One  who  hath  spoken  in  all  grades. 
Verily,  He  is  God,  the  King  of  the  Day  of  Judg- 
ment, and  the  Lord  of  the  Great  Throne! 

"  Jood  "  literally  means  "  Generosity,"  but  it  is  a  symbolic  name 
given  by  BAHA'U'LLAH  to  a  person  named  "  Jawad." 

60 


Words   of  Paradise 

Praise  be  unto  God!  It  is  not  known  by  what 
proof  and  argument  the  deniers  (among  the  people) 
of  Beyan  have  turned  away  from  the  Lord  of  the 
world.*  The  station  of  this  Matter  is  far  above 
the  station  of  what  hath  appeared  and  what  may  ap- 
pear. In  this  Day  were  the  "  Point  of  the  Beyan  " 
to  be  present,  and — God  forbid! — to  delay  in  ac- 
knowledging (this  Cause),  he  would  himself  be 
judged  by  the  blessed  Word  which  hath  descended 
from  the  Dawning-place  of  the  Beyan  of  His  Holi- 
ness. He  hath  said,  and  His  saying  is  truth:  "  He 
whom  God  shall  manifest  hath  the  right  to  reject 
even  one  who  is  highest  upon  the  earth." 

Say:  O  ye,  destitute  of  Knowledge!  In  this 
Day,  His  Holiness  (the  BAB)  uttereth:  "  Verily, 
I  am  the  first  among  those  who  worship"  [Him: 
i.  e.y  the  Manifestation].  The  stock  of  the  people's 
knowledge  is  little,  and  their  power  of  comprehen- 
sion is  weak.  The  Supreme  Pen  hath  testified  to 
their  poverty,  and  to  the  wealth  of  God,  the  Lord  of 
the  creatures:  Glory  be  unto  Him  who  has  created 
the  creatures :  He  is  the  True  One  and  the  Knower 
of  Things  Invisible! 

The  "  Mother-Book "  is  indeed  revealed,  and 
the  Munificent  One  is  in  the  "  Honorable  Sta- 
tion." The  "  Dawn  "f  hath  indeed  risen,  and  the 


*  i.    e.,   "  He  whom  God   shall  manifest,"  BAHA'U'LLAH. 
t  "  Dawn "   refers   to   the  prophecy   in   the   Koran   concerning   the  New 
Day,  i.   e.,  this  Manifestation. 

61 


Words   of  Paradise 

people  understand  not.  The  "  Verses "  have  in- 
deed come,  and  their  Revealer  is  in  manifest  sadness. 
That  has  been  inflicted  on  Me,  wherefor  the  Ex- 
istence lamenteth.  Say:  O  Yahya  (Ezel)  !  Pro- 
duce one  single  Verse,  if  thou  art  the  possessor  of 
right  knowledge.  This  is  what  My  Forerunner  hath 
formerly  uttered,  and  even  at  present  He  sayeth: 
"  Verily,  I  am  the  First  among  those  who  worship  " 
(Him)  ! 

Be  just,  O  my  brother !  Dost  thou  possess  any  ut- 
terance before  the  waves  of  the  sea  of  My  Utter- 
ance? Hast  thou  a  voice  (to  proclaim)  before  the 
sound  of  My  Pen,  or  dost  thou  possess  any  power 
before  the  manifestations  of  My  Power?  In  Truth, 
be  just,  and  remember  the  time  when  thou  wert 
standing  in  the  presence  of  this  Oppressed  One,  and 
I  declared  unto  thee  the  Verses  of  God,  the  Pro- 
tector, the  Self-subsistent.  Beware  lest  the  source  of 
falsehood  withhold  thee  from  this  manifest  Truth. 

O  thou  who  art  gazing  toward  the  Face!  Say: 
O  heedless  servants!  Ye  have  deprived  yourselves 
from  the  sea  of  Divine  Verses  for  a  single  drop,  and 
ye  have  withheld  yourselves  from  the  splendors  of 
the  Light  of  the  Sun  of  Truth  for  a  single  mote. 
Who  but  Baha'  had  the  power  to  speak  before  all 
the  world?  Be  just,  and  be  not  of  those  who  op- 
press. Through  Him  [Baha']  seas  have  moved, 
mysteries  appeared,  and  trees  have  uttered:  Verily 
the  Kingdom  and  the  earthly  world  belong  to  God, 

62 


Words   of  Paradise 

the  Revealer  of  Signs  (or  Verses),  and  the  Day- 
spring  of  manifest  proofs ! 

Consider  the  Persian  Beyan  of  His  Holiness  the 
Precursor,  and  look  into  it  with  the  eye  of  justice. 
Verily,  He  will  guide  you  unto  the  Path.  He  utters 
in  this  moment  that  which  His  Tongue  hath  formerly 
uttered  when  He  was  established  on  the  Throne  o£ 
His  Name,  the  Most  Great. 

You  have  made  mention  of  the  Friends  in  those 
parts.  Praise  be  to  God  that  every  one  of  them  at- 
tained the  honor  of  being  mentioned  by  the  True 
One,  and  the  names  of  all  of  them  flowed  and  were 
revealed  from  the  Tongue  of  Grandeur  in  the  King- 
dom of  Beyan.  Blessed  are  they,  and  joy  be  unto 
them,  for  they  drank  the  choice  wine  of  Revelation 
and  Inspiration  from  the  hands-of-gift  of  their  Lord, 
the  Loving,  the  Generous. 

We  beg  of  God  to  strengthen  them  in  the  most 
great  Steadfastness  and  to  assist  them  through  the 
hosts  of  Wisdom  and  Utterance.  Verily,  He  is  the 
Powerful,  the  Mighty  I  Greet  them  on  My  behalf, 
and  rejoice  them  with  the  glad  news  that  the  Orb 
of  Remembrance  hath  dawned  and  shone  (upon 
them)  from  the  horizon  of  the  heaven-of-gift  of 
their  Lord,  the  Forgiving,  the  Merciful. 

Thou  hast  made  mention  of  His  Honor  H-Kabli- 
LT.*  Verily,  We  have  adorned  his  temple  with  the 


'  i.  e.,  Hussein  (Haji)  Lutfi-Ali,  one  of  the  believers  of  Kashan,  Persia. 

63 


Words   of  Paradise 

mantle  of  forgiveness  and  his  head  with  the  crown 
of  pardon.  He  must  glory  among  men  because  of 
this  Grace  which  is  manifest,  shining  and  luminous. 
Say:  Be  not  grieved  after  this  blessed  Verse  is  re- 
vealed (in  thy  behalf)  :  it  is  as  though  thou  art, 
at  this  very  moment,  born  anew  from  the  mother's 
womb.  Say:  Thou  hast  no  more  sin  nor  error; 
God  hath  indeed  purified  thee  through  the  Kawther 
of  His  Utterance  in  His  Great  Prison.  We  beg  of 
God — Glorified  and  Exalted  is  He ! — to  enable  thee 
to  praise  and  glorify  Him,  and  to  assist  thee  through 
the  Invisible  Hosts.  Verily,  He  is  the  Powerful, 
the  Mighty! 

Thou  hast  made  mention  of  the  people  of  Tar, 
one  of  the  villages  of  Sad.*  Verily,  We  turn  Our 
face  toward  the  servants  of  God  in  that  place,  and 
We  exhort  them  in  the  beginning  of  Our  speech 
(to  observe)  what  the  Point  of  El-Beyan  hath  re- 
vealed concerning  this  Manifestation  whereby  the 
nerves  of  Namesf  have  quivered  with  fear,  the  idols 
of  superstitions  have  fallen,  and  the  Tongue  of 
Grandeur  hath  uttered  from  His  Supreme  Horizon 
(saying)  :  In  Truth,  the  Hidden  Treasury,  the 

*  "  Sad  "  is  equivalent  to  the  letter  "  S  "  in  the  Persian  Alphabet.  It 
is  the  first  letter  of  Saphahan  or  Esphahan. 

t  "  Names,"  as  used  by  BAHA'U'LLAH,  means  men  of  learning  or  of  re- 
ligious prominence,  who,  in  the  day  of  a  Manifestation,  are  looked  upon 
as  authorities  by  the  multitude.  Such  men  indeed  stand  between  the 
people  and  the  Manifestation  of  God.  Thus  BAHA'U'LLAH,  in  His  various 
Tablets,  warns  people  against  a  blind  imitation  of  such  "  Names,"  and 
enjoins  upon  men  to  seek  the  Truth  through  prayer,  and  through  the 
guidance  of  their  own  souls. 

64 


Words   of  Paradise 

Concealed  Mystery  hath  indeed  appeared:  He,  at 
whom  the  lips  of  all  that  was  and  is  have  smiled 
(with  gladness).  He  [the  BAB]  hath  said,  and  His 
saying  is  Truth:  "I  have  indeed  written  an  es- 
sence in  His  description,  and  it  is  this :  He  cannot  be 
indicated  by  My  allusions,  nor  by  all  that  is  men- 
tioned in  the  Beyan." 

We  exhort  them  to  equity,  justice,  trustworthiness 
and  honesty,  and  to  that  by  reason  of  which  the 
Word  of  God,  as  well  as  their  own  stations,  shall 
be  exalted  among  men;  and  I  am  the  One  who  ad- 
viseth  in  Truth,  whereunto  testifieth  He  from  whose 
Pen  the  running  water  of  Mercy,  and  from  whose 
Utterance  the  Kawther  of  Life  has  flowed  for  the 
people  of  the  world.  Exalted  is  this  Most  Great 
Bounty,  and  Glorious  is  this  manifest  Gift! 

O  people  of  Tar!  Hearken  unto  the  Voice  of 
the  Self-subsistent  One !  Verily,  He  admonisheth 
you  to  that  which  will  draw  you  nearer  unto  God, 
the  Lord  of  the  creatures.  Verily,  He  hath  turned 
His  Face  toward  you  from  the  prison  of  Acca,  and 
revealed  to  you  that  by  reason  of  which  your  re- 
membrance and  your  names  shall  continue  in  a  Book, 
which  shall  never  be  effaced  nor  changed  by  the 
doubts  of  the  contradictors.  Forsake  what  the 
people  possess  (of  opinions,  etc.)  and  hold  unto 
that  which  you  are  commanded  on  the  part  of  the 
Pre-existent,  the  Commander. 

This    is    the    Day    wherein    the    Sadrat-ul-Mon- 

65 


Words   of  Paradise 

taha  *  caileth  out,  saying :  O  people !  Look  unto 
My  Fruits,  and  My  Leaves!  then  hearken  unto  My 
Rustling!  Beware  lest  the  suspicions  of  the  people 
prevent  you  from  the  Light  of  Assurance !  And  the 
Ocean  of  Utterance  roareth,  saying:  O  ye  people 
of  the  earth !  Look  on  My  Waves,  and  on  the  Pearls 
of  Wisdom  and  Utterance  which  have  proceeded 
from  Me.  Fear  God  and  be  not  of  the  heedless ! 

In  this  Day  a  great  Banquet  is  celebrated  in  the 
Supreme  Concourse;  for  all  that  was  promised  in 
the  Divine  Books  has  appeared.  This  is  the  Day  of 
the  Most  Great  Rejoicing!  All  must  direct  them- 
selves to  the  court  of  Nearness  with  the  utmost  joy, 
happiness,  exultation  and  gladness,  and  deliver  them- 
selves from  the  fire  of  remoteness. 

O  people  of  Tar !  Take  ye  the  cups  of  knowledge 
through  the  power  of  MY  GREATEST  NAME;  then 
drink  therefrom,  in  spite  of  the  people  of  the  world 
who  have  violated  the  Covenant  of  God  and  His 
Testament,  denied  His  Proof  and  Argument,  and 
disputed  His  Signs  which  have  encompassed  all  in 
the  heaven  and  earth. 

The  deniers  among  the  people  of  Beyan  are  found 
to  be  like  unto  the  Shi'ite  Sect.f  Leave  them  in 
their  imaginations  and  superstitions.  Verily,  they 


*  Sadrat-ul-Montaha — The  name  of  a  tree  planted  by  the  Arabs  of 
ancient  times  at  the  end  of  a  road  to  serve  as  a  guide.  As  a  symbol  it 
denotes  a  Manifestation  in  His  Day. 

f  Mohammedans  of  Persia. 

66 


Words   of  Paradise 

are  (classed)  as  those  who  are  in  loss,  in  the  Book 
of  God,  the  Knower,  the  Wise. 

Now  the  Shi'ite  Doctors  are  all  engaged  in  curs- 
ing and  execrating  the  True  One.  Praise  be  unto 
God!*  The  Doulat-Abadif  also  followed  the  ex- 
ample of  those  people,  and  ascended  the  pulpit,  and 
said  that  by  reason  of  which  the  "  Tablet  "  lamented 
and  the  "  Pen  "§  mourned.  Consider  his  action, 
and  the  good  deeds  of  Ashraf:}: — upon  whom  is  My 
Baha'  and  Favor — and  also  those  others  who,  in  this 
Name  betook  themselves  to  the  place  of  Sacrifice, 
and  offered  their  lives  in  the  path  of  the  Desired 
One  of  all  the  creatures.  The  Cause  is  manifest  and 
clear  as  the  sun;  but  the  people  have  become  as 
veils  to  themselves.  We  ask  God  to  enable  them  to 
return.  Verily,  He  is  Merciful,  and  easy  to  be  rec- 
onciled ! 

O  ye  people  of  Tar!  Verily,  We  greet  your  faces 
from  this  Place,  and  beg  of  God — the  Glorified, 
the  Most  High — to  give  you  to  quaff  the  choice  wine 
of  Steadfastness  from  the  hands  of  His  Favor. 
Verily,  He  is  the  Bounteous,  the  Mighty,  the  Glori- 

*  Used  here  as  an  expression  of  wonder. 

t  That  is  "  Hadi  of  Doulat-Abad,"  Persia.  One  of  the  chief  Ezelis 
in  those  days. 

§  "  Tablet "  and  "  Pen "  are  two  terms  revealed  in  the  Koran,  and 
refer  to  the  Pen  and  Tablet  of  Divine  Decree.  These  terms  also  mean 
the  Manifestation  of  God.  For  it  is  through  His  Manifestation  that  His 
Will  and  Decrees  are  revealed  to  the  world. 

$  "  Ashraf  "  was  one  of  the  great  Bahai  martyrs  of  Persia.  His  son, 
Mirza  Fazl'ullah,  is  now  living  in  Teheran,  and  chants  the  Blessed  Tablets 
with  a  beautiful  and  melodious  voice. 

67 


Words   of  Paradise 

fied !  Abandon  ye  the  immature  ones  of  the  world, 
moved  by  desire  and  clinging  to  the  sources  of  im- 
aginations. Verily,  He  is  your  Confirmer  and 
Helper!  Verily,  He  is  powerful  to  do  that  which 
He  willeth!  There  is  no  God  save  He,  the  One, 
the  Single,  the  Mighty,  the  Most  Great  I 

El-Baha'  (The  Glory)  on  Our  Part  be  upon  those 
who  advanced  toward  the  Dawning-place  of  Mani- 
festation, and  acknowledged  and  confessed  that  which 
was  uttered  by  the  Tongue  of  Utterance  in  the  King- 
dom of  Knowledge  in  this  Day,  the  Blessed,  the 
Mighty,  the  Wonderful ! 

Here  ends  the  Introduction  and  the 
Words  of  Paradise. 


68 


Tablet  of  Tajalleyat 


TABLET  OF   TAJALLEYAT 


He  is  the  Hearer  from  His  Supreme 
Horizon ! 

I  testify  that  verily  there  is  no  God  save  He!  and 
He  who  hath  come  is  verily  the  Hidden  Mystery, 
the  Concealed  Secret,  the  Most  Great  Book  for  the 
nations,  and  the  Heaven  of  Beneficence  to  the  world: 
He  is  the  Mighty  Sign  among  mankind,  and  the 
Dawning-place  of  Highest  Attributes  in  the  world  of 
emanation.  Through  Him  hath  appeared  that  which 
was  concealed  from  all  eternity  and  was  hidden  from 
men  of  discernment.  Verily,  He  is  the  One  whose 
Manifestation  was  announced  by  the  Books  of  God 
in  former  and  in  latter  times. 

Whoever  acknowledges  Him,  His  signs,  and  His 
evidences  hath  verily  acknowledged  that  which  the 
Tongue  of  Grandeur  hath  uttered  before  the  crea- 
tion of  heaven  and  earth,  and  before  the  appearance 
of  the  Kingdom  of  Names.  Through  Him  the  sea 
of  Knowledge  hath  moved  among  mankind,  and  the 
running  water  of  Wisdom  hath  flowed  from  the  pres- 
ence of  God,  the  King  of  Days.  Blessed  is  the  dis- 
cerning one  who  witnessed  and  perceived,  the  hear- 
ing one  who  heard  His  sweet  voice,  and  the  hand  that 


Tablet  of  Tajalleyat 

took  hold  of  the  Book  through  the  power  of  its  Lord, 
the  King  of  this  world  and  of  the  world  to  come! 
Blessed  is  the  hastener  who  hastened  toward  His  Su- 
preme Horizon,  and  the  strong  one  whom  neither  the 
influence  of  princes  nor  the  clamor  of  (religious)  doc- 
tors did  weaken!  But  woe  unto  him  who  disbe- 
lieved the  Grace  of  God  and  His  Bounty,  His  Mercy 
and  His  Power !  Verily,  such  an  one  is  of  those  who 
reject  the  Proof  of  God  and  His  Argument  through- 
out all  eternity. 

Joy  unto  him  who,  in  this  Day,  casts  away  that 
which  is  possessed  by  the  people,  and  holds  fast  to 
that  which  is  commanded  on  the  part  of  God,  the 
King  of  Names  and  the  Creator  of  things,  viz. :  The 
One  who  hath  come  from  the  Heaven  of  Pre-existence 
with  the  Greatest  Name,  and  with  a  power  that  the 
hosts  of  the  earth  fail  to  withstand — whereunto  testi- 
fies the  "  Mother-Book  "  in  the  Highest  Station. 

O  Ali-Kabli-Akbar!*  We  have  heard  thy  voice 
repeatedly,  and  We  have  responded  to  thee  in  that 
which  the  sayings  of  the  world  cannot  equal,  and  from 
which  the  sincere  ones  find  the  perfume  of  the  Utter- 
ance of  the  Clement  One,  the  lovers  the  fragrances 

*  "  Ali-Kabli-Akbar "  was  Haji  Mullah  AH  Akbar  of  Shah-mirzad, 
Persia,  known  among  the  believers  by  the  title  of  "  Haji-Akoond."  He 
is  still  living  in  Teheran,  Persia,  and  is  one  of  the  old  believers  and  great 
teachers,  who  through  long  suffering,  repeated  imprisonment  and  tribu- 
lation, and  through  his  knowledge  of  these  teachings,  has  done  great  serv- 
ice to  the  Cause. 

72 


Tablet  of  Tajalleyat 

of  Union,  and  the  thirsty  ones  the  murmur  of  the 
Kawther*  of  Life.  Blessed  is  he  who  attains  there- 
to, and  discovers  that  (sweet  fragrance)  which  is  now 
being  diffused  from  the  Pen  of  God,  the  Protector, 
the  Mighty,  the  Bestower! 

We  testify  that  verily  thou  hast  advanced,  hast 
journeyed  until  thou  arrived  and  presented  thyself 
here,  and  hast  hearkened  unto  the  Voice  of  the  Op- 
pressed One  who  is  imprisoned  because  of  that  which 
was  wrought  by  the  hands  of  those  who  denied  the 
Verses  (or  Signs)  of  God  and  His  Commands  and 
rejected  this  Grace  by  which  the  regions  of  the  world 
are  illuminated. 

Blessed  is  thy  face,  for  it  turned  unto  our  direction ; 
thine  ears,  for  they  heard;  and  thy  tongue,  for  it  ut- 
tered the  praise  of  God,  the  Lord  of  Lords!  We 
beg  of  God  to  make  thee  a  banner  for  assistance  of 
His  Cause,  and  to  draw  thee  nearer  unto  Him  under 
all  circumstances.  We  make  mention  of  the  frien^o 
of  God  and  His  beloved  ones  in  that  place,  and  we 
gladden  them  through  that  which  is  revealed  unto 
them  from  the  Kingdom  of  the  Utterance  of  their 
Lord,  the  King  of  the  Day  of  Judgment. 

Remember  them  on  My  part,  and  illumine  them 
with  the  lights  of  the  Orb  of  My  Utterance.  Verily 
thy  Lord  is  the  Mighty,  the  Gracious! 

O  thou  who  art  speaking  My  praise!     Hearken 


*  "  Kawther,"   river. 

73 


Tablet  of  Tajalleyat 

to  that  which  the  oppressors  say  in  My  days.  Some 
say,  "  Verily  he  [BAHA'U'LLAH]  hath  claimed  Di- 
vinity;" others  say,  "  He  hath  calumniated  God,"  and 
still  others  say,  u  He  hath  appeared  for  corruption." 
Woe  unto  them!  Grief  unto  them!  Are  they  not 
the  worshippers  of  imaginations? 

Verily,  We  now  desire  to  leave  the  "  Eloquent 
Language."*  Verily  thy  Lord  is  the  Powerful,  the 
Independent!  It  is  our  desire  to  speak  (now)  in  the 
Persian  language,  so  that  perchance  the  people  of  Per- 
sia may  all  hear  the  Utterance  of  the  Clement  One, 
and  may  come  forth  and  find  (the  Truth). 

THE  FIRST  TAJALLI 

Which  hath  shone  forth  from  the  Sun  of  Truth  is 
the  Knowledge  of  God — Exalted  is  His  Glory! — 
and  the  knowledge  of  the  King  of  Pre-existence  can- 
not be  attained  except  by  knowing  the  Greatest  Name. 
He  [the  Greatest  Name]  is  the  Speaker  of  the  Mount 
who  is  established  and  seated  upon  the  Throne  of 
Manifestation,  and  He  is  the  Hidden,  Invisible  One, 
the  Concealed  Mystery. 

All  the  former  and  later  Books  of  God  are  adorned 
with  His  commemoration  and  speak  His  praise. 
Through  Him  the  Standard  of  Knowledge  is  planted 
in  the  world,  and  the  Banner  of  Unity  is  hoisted 

*  Thus    far  this   Tablet   was    revealed   in  the    "Eloquent   Tongue,"   i.    e., 
Arabic.     But   here   He   begins  to   speak   in   Persian. 

74 


Tablet  of  Tajalleyat 

among  nations.  The  Meeting  of  God  cannot  be  ob- 
tained except  through  meeting  Him.  Through  Him 
appeared  all  that  was  hidden  and  invisible  from  all 
eternity. 

Verily,  He  hath  appeared  in  Truth,  and  hath  ut- 
tered a  Word  whereby  "  all  in  the  heavens  and  earth 
— except  those  whom  God  wished — are  stunned." 
Faith  in  God,  and  the  knowledge  of  Him  cannot  be 
fully  realized  except  through  believing  in  all  that 
hath  proceeded  from  Him  [the  Manifestation],  and 
by  practicing  all  that  He  hath  commanded  and  all 
that  is  revealed  in  the  Book  from  the  Supreme  Pen. 
Those  submerged  in  the  sea  of  Divine  Utterance 
must  at  all  times  observe  the  commands  and  prohibi- 
tions of  God.  His  Commandments  are  the  greatest 
fortress  for  the  protection  of  the  world  and  for  the 
preservation  of  mankind.  Light  is  upon  those  who 
confess  and  acknowledge  them,  and  fire  is  on  those 
who  reject  and  oppose  them. 

THE  SECOND  TAJALLI 

is  Steadfastness  in  the  Cause  of  God  and  in  His 
Love — Exalted  is  His  Glory!  This  cannot  be  at- 
tained except  through  knowledge  of  Him,  and  a  per- 
fect knowledge  of  Him  cannot  be  obtained  except  by 
confessing  the  blessed  Word:  "  GOD  DOETH  THAT 
WHICH  HE  WILLETH."  He  who  adheres  to  this  ex- 
alted Word,  and  drinks  from  the  Kawther  of  Divine 

75 


Tablet  of  Tajalleyat 

Utterance  which  is  deposited  therein,  will  find  him- 
self so  steadfast  that  all  the  books  of  the  world  shall 
not  withhold  him  from  the  "  Mother-Book."  Oh ! 
Great  is  this  lofty  Station,  exalted  Position,  and  Fur- 
thermost End ! 

O  Ali-Kabli-Akbar !  Think  how  low  is  the  station 
of  the  deniers.  All  of  them  speak  the  blessed  Words : 
"  Verily,  He  is  to  be  praised  in  His  deeds,  and  to  be 
obeyed  in  His  Command;"*  nevertheless,  if  some- 
thing may  appear  (from  us),  in  the  least  degree 
against  their  lust  and  desire,  they  will  reject  it.  Say: 
No  one  is  informed  of  the  expediences  of  the  consum- 
mate Wisdom  of  God.  Verily,  were  He  to  declare 
the  earth  to  be  heaven,  no  one  hath  the  right  to  con- 
tradict Him.  This  is  that  whereunto  the  Point  of  El- 
Beyan  [the  BAB]  hath  testified  in  all  that  was  re- 
vealed unto  Him  on  the  part  of  God,  the  Cleaver  of 
Dawns. 

THE  THIRD  TAJALLI 

is  concerning  Sciences,  Crafts  and  Arts.  Knowledge 
is  like  unto  wings  for  the  being  (of  man),  and  is  as 
a  ladder  for  ascending.  To  acquire  knowledge  is  in- 
cumbent on  all,  but  of  those  sciences  which  may  profit 
the  people  of  the  earth,  and  not  such  sciences  as  be- 
gin in  mere  words,  and  end  in  mere  words.  The 
possessors  of  sciences  and  arts  have  a  great  right 

*  Words    of    the    BAB    concerning    "  He-whom-God-shall-manifest."      By 
"  deniers  "  here  is  meant  the  Ezelis. 

76 


Tablet  of  Tajalleyat 

among  the  people  of  the  world.  Whereunto  testifies 
the  Mother  of  Divine  Utterance  in  the  Day  of  Re- 
turn. Joy  unto  those  who  hear  I 

Indeed,  the  real  treasury  of  man  is  his  knowledge. 
Knowledge  is  the  means  of  honor,  prosperity,  joy, 
gladness,  happiness  and  exultation.  Thus  hath  the 
Tongue  of  Grandeur  spoken  in  this  Great  Prison ! 

THE  FOURTH  TAJALLI 

concerns  the  declaration  of  Divinity,  Lordship,  and 
similar  statements.*  Were  one  endowed  with  per- 
ception to  gaze  upon  this  evident,  blessed  Tree,  and 
upon  its  Fruits,  he  would  verily  become  independent 
of  all  else  save  It,  and  would  acknowledge  that  which 
the  Speaker  of  the  Mount  hath  uttered  on  the  Throne 
of  Manifestation. 

O  Ali-Kabli-Akbar !  Speak  unto  people  concern- 
ing the  Signs  (or  Verses)  of  thy  Lord,  and  make 
known  unto  them  His  Right  Path  and  His  Great 
Message.  Say:  O  servants!  If  ye  are  the  people 
of  justice  and  equity,  ye  will  confess  all  that  has 
flowed  from  the  Supreme  Pen.  If  ye  are  of  the  peo- 
ple of  Beyan,f  the  Persian  Beyan  will  guide  you  and 
suffice  you,  and,  if  ye  are  of  the  people  of  El-Forkan,:}: 

*  Claims  put  forward  by  the  Manifestation  of  this  great  Day. 

t  "  Beyan  " — the  Book  of  the  BAB.  "  The  people  of  Beyan,"  refers  to 
His  followers. 

$  "  El-Forkan  " — the  Koran, — the  Book  of  Mohammed.  "  The  people  of 
El-Forkan,"  refers  to  His  followers. 

77 


Tablet  of  Tajalleyat 

reflect  upon  the  "  Splendor  "  and  the  "  Voice  "  (re- 
vealed) in  the  Sinaitic  Tree  for  the  Son  of  Imran 
[Moses]. 

Praise  be  to  God!*  It  was  supposed  that  at  the 
Manifestation  of  God  (the  people's)  knowledge  had 
waxed  perfect  and  mature,  and  had  reached  the  fur- 
thermost end.  Now  it  has  become  evident  that  knowl- 
edge has  decreased  among  the  deniers,  and  has  re- 
mained immature. 

O  Ali !  They  refuse  to  accept  from  the  Tree  of 
Being  that  which  they  accepted  from  the  Tree  of 
Sinai!  Say:  O  people  of  Beyan!  Speak  not  after 
the  self  and  desire !  Most  of  the  peoples  of  the  world 
confess  the  blessed  Word  which  has  proceeded  from 
the  Tree  [the  Manifestation].  By  the  Life  of  God, 
were  it  not  for  the  mention  of  "  Divinity  "f  made  by 
the  Precursor  [the  BAB],  this  Oppressed  One  would 
not  have  spoken  in  that  which  is  the  cause  of  distrac- 
tion and  destruction  of  the  ignorant. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  Beyan,  He  [the  BAB]  says 

in   description    of   "  He-whom-God-shall-manifest :  " 

'  Verily,  He  is  the  One  who  shall  utter  in  all  grades 

— '  VERILY,  I  AM  GOD.    THERE  is  NO  GOD  BUT  ME, 

THE  LORD  OF  ALL  THINGS,  AND  ALL  BESIDES  ME  IS 
CREATED  BY  ME  !  O  YE,  MY  CREATURES  !  YE  ARE 

TO  WORSHIP  ME.'  "  Likewise,  in  another  place,  in 


*  Used   as   an   expression   cf   wonder. 

t  The  passage  means  that   BAHA'U'LLAH'S  declaration  of  Divinity  was  in 
fulfilment  of  the  prophecy   of  the   BAB  concerning  Him. 

78 


Tablet  of  Tajalleyat 

speaking  of  "  He-whom-God-shall-manifest,"  He 
says:  "  Verily,  I  [the  BAB]  am  the  first  one  of  those 
who  worship  Him." 

Now,  man  must  reflect  upon  the  "  Worshipper  " 
[the  BAB],  and  the  "Worshipped  One"  [BAHA'- 
U'LLAH]  :  perchance  the  people  of  the  earth  may  at- 
tain to  a  drop  of  the  Sea  of  Knowledge,  and  compre- 
hend the  Station  of  this  Manifestation.  Verily,  He 
hath  appeared,  and  hath  spoken  in  Truth.  Blessed 
is  he  who  confesses  and  acknowledges,  and  woe  unto 
every  remote  denier ! 

O  ye  concourse  of  the  earth!  Hearken  to  the 
Voice  of  the  Sadrat,*  the  Shade  of  which  hath  en- 
compassed the  loftiest  positions  of  the  world;  and  be 
not  of  the  tyrants  of  the  earth  who  denied  the  Mani- 
festation of  God  and  His  Power,  and  renounced  His 
Bounty.  Are  they  not  of  the  contemptible,  in  the 
Book  of  God,  the  Lord  of  the  creatures? 

Glory,  shining  from  the  Heaven  of  My  Provi- 
dence, be  upon  thee,  and  upon  him  who  is  with  thee 
and  hearkens  to  thy  saying  in  the  Cause  of  God,  the 
Mighty,  the  Praiseworthy ! 

*  Sadrat   ul   Montaha — Tree   of   Paradise. 

Here  ends  the  Tablet  of  Tajalleyat. 


79 


The  Glad  Tidings 


THE   GLAD   TIDINGS 


This  is  the  Voice  of  El-ABHA,  which  is  being 
raised  from  the  Supreme  Horizon,  in  the  Prison 
Acca  I 

He  is  the  Declarer,  the  Knower,  the  Omniscient! 

God  testifies  and  the  Appearance  of  His  Names 
and  Attributes  bears  witness  that,  by  the  raising  of 
the  Voice  and  by  the  Exalted  Word,  it  has  been  (our) 
aim  that  the  ears  of  the  people  of  the  world  should 
be  purified  through  the  Kawther  of  Divine  Utter- 
ance from  false  narrations  and  be  prepared  to  hearken 
unto  the  blessed,  pure,  exalted  Word  which  hath  ap- 
peared from  the  treasury  of  the  Knowledge  of  the 
Maker  of  Heaven  and  Creator  of  Names.  Blessed 
are  those  who  are  just ! 

O,  people  of  the  earth  I 

THE  FIRST  GLAD  TIDINGS 

which  is  conferred  in  this  Most  Great  Manifestation 
on  all  the  people  of  the  world,  from  the  "  Mother- 
Book,''  is  the  abolishing  of  the  decree  of  religious 
warfare  from  the  Book.  Exalted  is  the  Beneficent 
One,  the  Possessor  of  Great  Bounty — the  One 

83 


The   Glad   Tidings 

through  whom  the  door  of  Grace  is  opened  before  all 
in  the  Heaven  and  earth ! 

THE  SECOND  GLAD  TIDINGS: 

It  is  sanctioned  that  all  the  nations  of  the  world 
consort  with  each  other  with  joy  and  fragrance. 
Consort  ye,  O  people,  with  (the  people  of)  all  re- 
ligions with  joy  and  fragrance !  Thus  hath  the  Orb 
of  Permission  and  Desire  shone  forth  from  the  hori- 
zon of  the  Heaven  of  the  Command  of  God,  the 
Lord  of  the  creatures ! 

THE  THIRD  GLAD  TIDINGS 

is  the  study  of  various  languages.  This  command 
hath  formerly  flowed  from  the  Supreme  Pen.  Their 
Majesties,  the  Kings — May  God  assist  them — or  the 
Counsellors  of  the  earth  must  consult  together,  and 
appoint  one  of  the  existing  languages,  or  a  new  lan- 
guage, and  instruct  the  children  therein,  in  all  the 
schools  of  the  world;  and  the  same  must  be  done  in 
respect  to  writing  also.  In  such  case  the  earth  will 
be  considered  as  one.  Blessed  is  he  who  heareth  the 
Voice  and  fulfilleth  that  which  is  commanded  on  the 
part  of  God,  the  Lord  of  the  Great  Throne ! 

THE  FOURTH  GLAD  TIDINGS  : 

Let  every  one  of  the  Kings — May  God  strengthen 
them — arise  to  protect  and  assist  this  oppressed  com- 

84 


The  Glad  Tidings 

munity  [i.  e.y  the  Bahais].  Each  (Bahai)  must  pre- 
cede the  other  in  serving  and  showing  love  unto 
them.  This  matter  is  obligatory  upon  all.  Blessed 
are  those  who  practice ! 

THE  FIFTH  GLAD  TIDINGS  : 

In  every  country  or  government  where  any  of  this 
community  reside,  they  must  behave  toward  that  gov- 
ernment with  faithfulness,  trustfulness  and  truthful- 
ness. This  is  that  which  is  revealed  from  the  Pres- 
ence of  the  Ancient  Commander!  It  is  obligatory 
and  incumbent  on  the  people  of  the  world  in  gen- 
eral, to  assist  this  most  Great  Cause — which  has  de- 
scended from  the  Heaven  of  the  Will  of  the  King 
of  Pre-existence — that  perchance  the  fire  of  animosity 
which  is  ablaze  in  the  hearts  of  some  of  the  nations, 
may  be  quenched  through  the  water  of  Divine  Wis- 
dom and  Lordly  Commands  and  Exhortations,  and 
that  the  light  of  union  and  accord  may  irradiate  and 
illuminate  the  regions  (of  the  world).  It  is  hoped 
that  through  the  favor  of  the  Appearances  of  the 
Power  of  God  \i.  e.y  Kings  and  Rulers]  the  arma- 
ments of  the  world  will  be  changed  into  Peace  and 
corruption  and  conflict  will  vanish  from  among  men. 

THE  SIXTH  GLAD  TIDINGS 

is  the  Most  Great  Peace,  the  acount  of  which  has 
been  formerly  revealed  from  the  Supreme  Pen.  Joy 
unto  whosoever  adhereth  thereto  and  practices  that 

85 


The   Glad   Tidings 

whereunto  he  is  commanded  on  the  part  of  God, 
the  Knower,  the  Wise ! 


THE  SEVENTH*  GLAD  TIDINGS  : 

Men  are  permitted  to  have  their  choice  in  the  man- 
ner of  habiliment,  and  in  the  cut  of  the  beard  and 
its  dressing.  But,  beware,  O  people,  not  to  make 
yourselves  as  playthings  to  the  ignorant!* 

THE  EIGHTH  GLAD  TIDINGS  : 

The  pious  practices  of  the  monks  and  priests  among 
the  people  of  His  Holiness  the  Spirit  [i.  e.,  Christ] 
— Upon  Him  is  the  Peace  of  God  and  His  Glory ! — 
are  remembered  before  God;  but,  in  this  Day,  they 
must  abandon  solitude  for  open  places  \i.  e.,  the  so- 
ciety of  men],  and  engage  in  that  which  may  profit 
both  themselves  and  other  men.  We  have  conferred 
permission  on  them  all  to  engage  in  matrimony,  so 
that  there  may  appear  from  them  those  who  [£.  e.y 
children]  may  celebrate  the  praise  of  God,  the  Lord 
of  the  Seen  and  Unseen  and  the  Lord  of  the  Lofty 
Throne ! 

THE  NINTH  GLAD  TIDINGS: 

The  sinner,  when  in  a  state  wherein  he  finds  himself 
free  and  severed  from  all  else  save  God,  must  beg 


*  i.    e.,    Men   should   not   assume   an    uncouth    dress   or    shape    of   beard 
which   would   make   them   objects   of   ridicule   to   critical   unbelievers. 

86 


The  Glad  Tidings 

for  (God's)  forgiveness  and  pardon.  It  is  not  al- 
lowable to  declare  one's  sins  and  transgressions  before 
any  man,  inasmuch  as  this  has  not  been,  nor  is  con- 
ducive to  securing  God's  forgiveness  and  pardon. 
At  the  same  time  such  confession  before  the  creatures 
leads  to  one's  humiliation  and  abasement,  and  God 
— Exalted  in  His  Glory! — does  not  wish  for  the 
humiliation  of  his  servants.  Verily  He  is  Compas- 
sionate and  Beneficent ! 

A  sinner  must,  (privately)  between  himself  and 
God,  beg  for  mercy  from  the  Sea  of  Mercy  and  ask 
forgiveness  from  the  Heaven  of  Beneficence,  and 
then  say : 

Oh  my  God!  Oh  my  God!  I  beg  of  Thee — by 
the  blood  of  Thy  lovers,  who  were  so  attracted  by 
Thy  sweet  Utterance  that  they  betook  themselves  un- 
to the  lofty  summit,  the  place  of  Great  Martyrdom, 
and  by  the  mysteries  concealed  in  Thy  Knowledge, 
and  by  the  pearls  deposited  in  the  Sea  of  Thy  Be- 
stowal— to  forgive  me,  and  my  father  and  my 
mother.  Verily  Thou  art  the  Most  Merciful  of  the 
Merciful !  There  is  no  God  but  Thee,  the  Forgiv- 
ing, the  Beneficent! 

Oh,  my  Lord!  Thou  beholdest  the  essence  of 
error  advancing  toward  the  sea  of  Thy  Gift,  and  the 
weak  one  toward  the  kingdom  of  Thy  Power,  and  the 
poor  one  toward  the  sun  of  Thy  Wealth.  Oh,  my 
Lord!  Disappoint  him  not  of  Thy  Generosity  and 

8? 


The  Glad  Tidings 

Bounty;  deprive  him  not  of  the  Graces  of  Thy  Days, 
and  turn  him  not  away  from  Thy  door  which  Thou 
hast  opened  before  all  in  Thy  Heaven  and  earth. 

Alas!  Alas!  My  transgressions  have  prevented 
me  from  drawing  nigh  unto  the  Court  of  Thy  Sanc- 
tity, and  my  trespasses  have  kept  me  afar  from  turn- 
ing unto  the  tents  of  Thy  Glory.  I  have  indeed 
wrought  that  which  Thou  hast  forbidden  me ;  I  have 
neglected  that  which  Thou  hast  commanded  me !  I 
beg  of  Thee  by  the  King  of  Names  to  decree  for 
me  from  the  Pen  of  Grace  and  Bestowal  that 
which  will  draw  me  near  unto  Thee  and  will  purify 
me  from  my  sins  which  have  intervened  between  me 
and  Thy  Forgiveness  and  Pardon.  Verily,  Thou  are 
the  Powerful,  the  Bounteous !  There  is  no  God  but 
Thee,  the  Mighty,  the  Gracious! 

THE  TENTH  GLAD  TIDINGS: 
We  have  removed  from  the  Epistles  and  Tablets  the 
decree  of  effacing  the  books  *  as  a  favor  from  the 
Presence  of  God,  the  Sender  of  this  Great  Message ! 

THE  ELEVENTH  GLAD  TIDINGS  : 
To  study  sciences  and  arts  of  all  descriptions  is  al- 
lowable; but  such  sciences  as  are  profitable,  which 
lead  and  conduce  to  the  elevation  of  mankind.  Thus 
has  the  matter  been  decreed  on  the  part  of  God,  the 
Commander,  the  Wise! 

*  This   refers   to   certain   religions   whose   authorities   do   not   allow   any 
book  to  be  studied  or  held  to,  outside  their  own  particular  religious  book. 

88 


The  Glad  Tidings 

THE  TWELFTH  GLAD  TIDINGS  : 

It  is  made  incumbent  on  every  one  of  you  to  engage 
in  some  one  occupation,  such  as  arts,  trades,  and  the 
like.  We  have  made  this — your  occupation — iden- 
tical with  the  worship  of  God,  the  True  One.  Re- 
flect, O  people,  upon  the  mercy  of  God  and  upon  His 
favors,  then  thank  Him  in  mornings  and  evenings. 

Waste  not  your  time  in  idleness  and  indolence,  and 
occupy  yourselves  with  that  which  will  profit  your- 
selves and  others  beside  yourself.  Thus  hath  the  mat- 
ter been  decreed  in  this  Tablet  from  the  Horizon  of 
which  the  Sun  of  Wisdom  and  Divine  Utterance  is 
gleaming!  The  most  despised  of  men  before  God 
is  he  who  sits  and  begs.  Cling  unto  the  rope  of 
means,  relying  upon  God,  the  Causer  of  Causes. 
Every  soul  who  occupies  himself  in  an  art  or  trade — 
this  will  be  accounted  an  act  of  worship  before  God. 
Verily  this  is  from  no  other  than  His  great  and  abund- 
ant favor! 

THE  THIRTEENTH  GLAD  TIDINGS  : 

The  affairs  of  the  people  are  placed  in  charge  of  the 
men  [i.  e.,  members]  of  the  House  of  Justice  of  God. 
They  are  the  trustees  of  God  among  His  servants  and 
the  day-springs  of  Command  in  His  countries. 

O  people  of  God!  The  trainer  of  the  world  is 
Justice,  for  it  consists  of  two  pillars:  Reward  and 
Retribution.  These  two  pillars  are  two  fountains  for 


Tidings 

the  life  of  the  p^oplejpf.tjie \ world.  Inasmuch  as  for 
each  time  and  day  a  particular  decree  and  order  is 
aS|89ifeitf,  Ufftife  £^tE&BdK  entrusted  to  the  min- 
isters of  the  House  of  Justice,  so  that  they  may  ex- 
ecute that  which  they  deem  advisable  at  the  time. 
Those  Souls  who  arise  to  serve  the  Cause  sincerely 
to  please  God  will  be  inspired  by  the  divine,  invisible 
inspirations.  It  is  incumbent  upon  all  to  obey. 

AdiM{^St$PallS^  of  the 

House  of  Justice;  but  acts  of  worship  must  be  ob- 
served according  as  they  are  revealed  in  the  Book. 

O,  people  of  Baha!  Ye  are  day-springs  of  the 
love,  and fawning-places  of  the  providence  of  God. 
Defile  not  the  tongue  with  cursing  or  execrating  any 
one  and  guard  your  eyes  against  that  which  is  not 
worthy.  Show  forth  that  which  ye  possess  [*.  e.,  the 
Truth,  etc.~\.  If  it  is  accepted,  the  aim  is  attained, 
and,  if  not/interference  (with  or  rebuke  of  those  who 
reject  it)  is  not  allowable,  but  leave  them  to  them- 
selves and  advance  toward  God,  the  Protector,  the 
Self-subsistent.  T 

Be  not  the' cause  of  sorrow,  how  much  fess  of  sedi- 
tion and  strife.  It  is  hoped  that  ye  may  be  trained 
under  the  Shadfok  (rf ithHTrfeei of [ 
and  asttim 
leaves  Q 
si  bhov*-3fb  lo  isniBiJ  5fiT  !boD  'lo  slqosq  O 


The   Glad   Tidings 

tombs  of  the  dead  is  not  necessary.  If  those  who 
have  means  and  wealth  should  give  to  the  House 
of  Justice  the  amount  which  would  otherwise  be  ex- 
pended on  such  journeys,  this  would  be  accept- 
able and  agreeable  before  God.  Happy  are  those 
who  practice ! 

THE  FIFTEENTH  GLAD  TIDINGS  : 

Although  a  republican  form  of  government  profits 
all  the  people  of  the  world,  yet  the  majesty  of  King- 
ship is  one  of  the  signs  of  God.  We  do  not  wish  that 
the  countries  of  the  world  should  be  deprived  there- 
of. If  statesmen  combine  the  two  *  into  one  form, 
their  reward  will  be  great  before  God. 

Agreeable  to  the  requirements  of  former  times,  the 
former  religions  confirmed  and  commanded  religious 
warfare,  prohibited  association  and  intercourse  with 
other  peoples,  and  forbade  the  reading  of  certain 
books,  but  in  this  Most  Great  Manifestation  and 
Mighty  Message,  favors  and  gifts  of  God  have  per- 
vaded all  and  the  Irrefutable  Command  is  revealed 
in  that  which  already  has  been  mentioned  from  the 
horizon  of  the  Will  of  the  Lord  of  Pre-existence. 
We  praise  God — Exalted  and  Glorified  is  He  I — for 
that  which  He  hath  revealed  in  this  Day,  the  Blessed, 
the  Mighty,  the  Wonderful!  Were  all  the  people 

*  Combining  the  ideals  of  Republicanism,  viz.,  consultation,  etc.,  with 
Kingship.  This  would  be  similar  to  representative  government  which 
rules  in  Great  Britain,  to  which  BAHA'U'LLAH  refers  in  the  "Tablet  of 
the  World." 

91 


The  Glad  Tidings 

of  the  world  each  to  possess  a  hundred  thousand 
tongues  and  speak  in  (God's)  praise  and  glorification 
until  the  day  which  hath  no  end,  verily  all  their 
thanks  will  not  equal  (what  is  due  )even  a  single  one 
of  the  favors  mentioned  in  this  Epistle ! — whereunto 
testifies  every  man  of  knowledge  and  discernment  and 
every  man  of  wisdom  and  understanding.  I  beg  of 
God — Exalted  in  His  Glory! — and  entreat  Him  to 
enable  the  Kings  and  Sovereigns,  who  are  dawning- 
places  of  power  and  day-springs  of  might,  to  execute 
His  precepts  and  Commands. 

Verily,   He   is  the   Powerful,    the   Mighty,    and 
Worthy  to  grant ! 

Here  ends  The  Glad  Tidings. 


THE  TABLET  OF  ISHRAKAT 

(EFFULGENCES) 

Preceded  by  the  Tablet  on 

THE  MOST  GREAT  INFALLIBILITY 


Revealed  by 
BAHA'U'LLAH 

AT  ACCA 


Translated  by 

ALI-KULI   KHAN 

(ISHTEAL,     EBN-KALANTER) 

Boston,  Massachusetts 

1906 


Published  by 

BAHAI  PUBLISHING  SOCIETY 

Chicago,  111.,  U.  S.  A. 

1908 


Printed  at  Chicago,  January,  1908 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 


TABLET  OF  ISHRAKAT 


This  is  the  Epistle  of  God,  the  Protector,  the 
Self-subsistentI 

He  is  God  I  —  Exalted  is  His  state,  in  Wisdom 
and  Utterance! 

Praise  be  unto  God  who  is  Single  in  Grandeur, 
Power  and  Beauty,  is  One  in  Glory,  Potency  and 
Majesty,  and  who  is  sanctified  above  being  com- 
prehended by  reflection,  or  having  any  peer  or  equal. 
His  Right  Path  hath  verily  been  made  clear  by  the 
most  eloquent  Utterance  and  Speech.  Verily  He  is 
the  Independent,  the  Almighty! 

When  He  purposed  a  new  creation  He  sent  forth 
the  manifest  and  luminous  Point  from  the  horizon 
of  desire,  and  the  Point  went  round  through  every 
sign,*  under  every  form,  until  it  reached  the 
Ultimate  Station,  by  a  Command  from  the  Pres- 
ence of  God,  the  Lord  of  mankind.  Verily  it  (the 

*  The   word   "  Sign "    is   to   be    taken   here   in   the   sense   it   conveys    in 
the   zodiac. 


Tablet  of  Ishraka* 

Point*)  is  the  centre  of  the  Circle  of  Names,  the 
end  of  the  appearances  of  "  letters  "  in  the  King- 
dom of  Emanation.  Through  it  appeared  that 
which  indicates  the  Most  Concealed  Mystery,  the 
adorned  Allegory,  the  Manifest  One  who  is  ex- 
pressive of  the  Greatest  Name  in  the  brilliant 
Tablet  and  in  the  holy,  blessed,  White  Epistle. 

And  when  the  Point  was  united  with  the  second 
letter  which  is  manifest  in  the  beginning  of  the 
"  Messani  "  f ,  the  spheres  of  Utterance  and  Sig- 
nificances revolved,  the  Eternal  Light  of  God  shone 
forth  and  stood  high  upon  the  Heaven  of  Demon- 
stration, and  two  Orbs  of  Light  were  produced  there- 
from. Glorified  is  the  Merciful  One  who  cannot  be 
referred  to  by  any  allusion,  or  expressed  by  any  ex- 
pression, or  known  by  any  explication  or  described 
by  any  traces  (or  evidences)  !  Verily  He  is  the 
Commander,  the  Bestower  —  in  the  Origin  and 
Return ! 


*  This  refers  to  the  "  Doctrine  of  the  Point "  which  cannot  be  dis- 
cussed here  at  length.  The  "  Point "  is  the  first  emanation  from  the 
Invisible  toward  a  "  New  Creation."  "  Letters "  are  then  derived  from, 
the  "  Point."  In  the  day  of  the  BAB,  this  was  exemplified  in  the 
appearance  of  the  BAB  as  the  "  Point  of  Revelation  "  and  the  "eighteen 
letters  of  the  Living "  which  emanated  from  Him. 

t "  Messani "  literally  means  "  being  repeatedly  recited."  This  is  the 
title  of  the  "  Surat-el-Fatiha,"  the  first  chapter  of  the  Koran.  This 
chapter  consists  of  seven  verses  and  is,  therefore,  also  named  "  Sab'ayi 
Messani,"  that  is,  "  The  seven  to  be  recited  repeatedly."  This  is  because 
this  chapter  makes  part  of  the  Mohammedan  daily  prayer  which  is  re- 
cited five  times  daily.  The  opening  pages  of  the  above  Tablet  of 
BAHA'U'LLAH  are  replete  with  abstruse  spiritual  doctrines  which  are  be- 
yond the  limit  of  a  footnote  to  explain. 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

And  He  appointed  unto  them  (i.  e.,  those  two 
Orbs)  protectors  and  guardians  out  of  the  hosts  of 
Power  and  Might.  Verily  He  is  the  Protector,  the 
Mighty,  the  Unconstrained! 

The  Homily  *  is  being  revealed  twice,  even  as 
the  "  Messani "  has  been  revealed  twice: 

Praise  be  to  God  who  manifested  the  Point  and 
sent  forth  from  it  the  knowledge  of  what  was  and 
is  (i.  e.,  all  things)  ;  who  made  it  (the  Point)  the 
Herald  f  in  His  Name,  the  Precursor  to  His  Most 
Great  M'anifestation,  by  which  the  nerves  of  nations 
have  quivered  with  fear  and  the  Light  has  risen 
from  the  horizon  of  the  world.  Verily  it  is  that 
Point  which  God  hath  made  to  be  a  Sea  of  Light 
for  the  sincere  among  His  servants  and  a  ball  of 
fire  for  the  deniers  among  His  creatures  and  the 
impious  among  His  people — i.  e.,  those  who  have 
changed  God's  favors,  rejected  the  Bread  of  Heaven 
in  their  hypocrisy  and  led  their  friends  to  an  un- 
happy dwelling.  They  are  such  men  who  manifested 
forth  hypocrisy  (or  discord)  in  the  world  and  vio- 
lated the  Covenant  in  the  Day  wherein  the  Temple 
of  Pre-existence  is  established  upon  the  most  great 
Throne.  The  Herald  is  crying  from  the  "  right  side 


"  Homily "    is    a    form    of    revelation    or    writing    in    the    praise    and 
glorification    of    God.      This    Tablet    began    in    a    Homily    ending    in    th« 
last  paragraph  in  the  text.     Now  again  another  Homily   follows. 
tThe  BAB. 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

of  the  Sacred  Valley"*  (saying):  O  Concourse 
of  El-Beyan!  Fear  the  Clement  One!  This  is  the 
One  of  whom  Mohammed,  the  Messenger  of  God, 
made  mention;  and  before  him  the  Spirit  (Christ), 
and  before  him  the  Interlocutor  (Moses)  !  This  is 
the  Point  of  El-Beyan  who  calleth  out  before  the 
Throne,  saying :  In  Truth,  ye  have  been  created  for 
the  remembrance  of  this  Most  Great  Message  and 
this  Most  Firm  Path,  which  was  hidden  in  the  minds 
of  the  Prophets,  concealed  within  the  breasts  of  the 
Chosen  Ones,  and  written  by  the  Supreme  Pen  in 
the  Tablets  of  your  Lord,  the  King  of  Names! 

Say:  Die  in  your  wrath,  O  ye  people  of  discord! 
He  hath  indeed  appeared,  from  whose  knowledge 
naught  is  concealed,  and  He  because  of  whom  the 
face  of  Knowledge  smiles  (with  joy)  hath  come, 
and  by  whom  the  Kingdom  of  Utterance  is  adorned  1 
Every  advancer  toward  God,  the  King  of  Religions, 
hath  advanced.  By  Him  every  sitting  one  hath  risen 
up  and  those  lying  down  have  hastened  to  the  Mount 
of  Assurance.  This  is  the  Day  which  God  hath 
made  to  be  a  grace  unto  the  pious,  a  punishment  un- 
to the  wicked,  a  mercy  unto  those  who  advance  and 
a  wrath  unto  those  who  deny  and  turn  away !  Verily 
He  hath  appeared  with  a  Power  from  His  Presence 
and  hath  revealed  that  which  naught  in  His  heaven 

*  From   the  Koran  —  the   story   of  Mos^s  when  he   saw  the  fire  in  the 
Tree   of   Sinai. 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

and  earth  can  equal!  Fear  the  Clement  One,  O 
people  of  Beyan !  *  and  commit  not  what  was 
wrought  by  the  people  of  El-Forkan  f  who  professed 
faith  during  nights  and  days,  but  when  the  Lord  of 
men  came,  they  denied  and  disbelieved,  until  they 
condemned  Him  in  such  injustice,  whereat  the 
"  Mother-Book "  lamented  in  (the  Day  of)  Re- 
turn^ Remember;  then  look  at  their  deeds  and 
words,  their  grades  and  their  stations,  and  at  that 
which  proceeded  from  them  when  the  Speaker  of 
the  Mount  spoke,  the  Trumpet  was  sounded  and  all 
in  the  heavens  and  earth  were  stunned  —  except  a 
number  of  the  "  letters  "  of  the  Face. 

O  Concourse  of  Beyan!  Abandon  your  supersti- 
tions and  imaginations !  Then  gaze  with  the  eye  of 
justice  unto  the  horizon  of  the  Manifestation,  unto 
that  which  hath  appeared  and  been  revealed  from 
His  Presence,  and  unto  that  which  His  enemies  have 
inflicted  upon  Him.  He  is  the  One  who  hath  ac- 
cepted all  calamities  for  the  sake  of  the  declaration 
of  His  Command  and  the  promotion  of  His  Word. 
He  hath  been  once  imprisoned  in  Ta  (i.  e.y  Teheran) , 
once  in  Mein  (i.  e.,  Mazanderan)  and  then  again 
in  Ta,  for  the  sake  of  the  Cause  of  God,  the  Creator 


*The  Book  of  the  BAB. 

f  El-Forkan   is   another   terminology   for   the   Koran. 
§  The    Day    whereon    all    should    return    to    their    Lord;    the    Day    of 
Resurrection.      The    Day   of   this    Manifestation. 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

of  Heaven;  during  which  He  hath  been  in  chains  and 
shackles,  in  longing  for  the  Command  of  God,  the 
Mighty,  the  Gracious! 

O  Concourse  of  El-Beyanl  Have  ye  forgotten 
My  Commandments  and  that  which  hath  proceeded 
from  My  Pen  and  hath  been  uttered  by  My  Tongue  ? 
Have  ye  preferred  your  suspicions  before  My  Cer- 
tainty and  your  desires  before  My  Way?*  Have 
ye  forsaken  the  Precepts  of  God  and  His  Commemo- 
ration and  abandoned  the  Ordinances  of  God  and 
His  Commands?  Fear  God!  Leave  superstitions 
unto  their  manifestors,  and  suppositions  unto  their 
sources,  and  doubts  unto  their  originators.  Then  ad- 
vance with  shining  faces  and  brilliant  hearts  toward 
that  Horizon  from  which  the  Sun  of  Assurance  hath 
shone  forth,  by  a  Command  from  the  Presence  of 
God,  the  King  of  Religions. 

Praise  be  to  God  who  hath  made  the  "  Most 
Great  Infallibility  "  a  cuirass  for  the  Temple  of  His 
Command,f  in  the  Kingdom  of  Emanation;  and 
hath  decreed  for  none  else  any  portion  from  this 
lofty  Grade  and  Supreme  Station!  Verily,  this  (i.  e.9 
the  Most  Great  Infallibility)  is  a  mantle  spun  by 
the  fingers  of  Power  for  His  Own  Exalted  Self. 
Verily,  this  does  not  become  anyone  except  Him  who 
is  established  upon  the  Throne  of  "  He  doeth  what- 


*  Literally:     Changed  My  Certainty  for  your  suspicions. 
t  The  Manifestation. 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

soever  He  willeth."  *  Whosoever  acknowledges  and 
confesses  that  which  is  written  at  this  moment  by 
the  Supreme  Pen  is  verily  of  the  people  of  Unity  and 
of  the  followers  of  Singleness,  in  the  Book  of  God, 
the  King  of  Origin  and  Return. 

And  when  Our  Words  reached  this  point,  the 
Fragrance  of  Knowledge  wafted  and  the  Orb  of 
Oneness  shone  forth  from  the  horizon  of  the  Heaven 
of  Utterance.  Blessed  is  whosoever  is  attracted  by 
the  Voice  to  the  Lofty  Apex  and  Furthermost  End 
and  learneth  from  the  sound  of  My  Supreme  Pen  that 
which  is  desired  by  the  Lord  of  this  world  and  the 
world  to  come !  Verily,  he  who  does  not  drink  from 
Our  Sealed  Choice  Wine,  the  seal  of  which  We  have 
broken  by  Our  Name,  the  Self-subsistent,  is  verily 
one  who  has  not  attained  to  the  lights  of  Oneness  or 
known  the  purpose  of  the  Books  of  God,  the  Lord  of 
the  heaven  and  earth,  the  King  of  the  next  world 
and  the  present  one;  and  such  an  one  is  accounted 
of  the  polytheists  in  the  Book  of  God,  the  Knower, 
the  Omniscient. 

O  thou  honorable  questioner!  We  testify  that, 
verily,  thou  hast  adhered  to  abundant  patience  in  the 
days  wherein  the  Pen  was  withheld  from  flowing  and 


*  Concerning  the  "  Most  Great  Infallibility,"  ABDUL-BAHA  teaches  that 
the  infallibility  of  a  Manifestation  of  God  is  not  to  be  judged  by  men 
according  to  their  own  limited  view  or  estimate  of  the  deeds  of  a 
Manifestation.  But  the  Manifestation  of  God  is  infallible  in  the  sense 
that  He,  as  the  Temple  of  God,  "  doeth  whatsoever  He  willeth";  and 
all  that  He  doeth  must  be  recognized  by  men  as  based  on  Divine 
Wisdom. 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

the  Tongue  from  utterance  in  mention  of  the  "  Most 
Great  Infallibility "  and  the  Most  Mighty  Sign, 
which  thou  hast  asked  this  Oppressed  One  to  re- 
move for  thee  its  veils  and  coverings  and  to  explain 
unto  thee  its  mystery,  its  grade,  its  station,  its  posi- 
tion, its  rank,  its  exaltation  and  its  loftiness. 

By  the  life  of  God!  Were  We  to  expose  the 
pearls  of  argument  as  concealed  in  the  shells  of  the 
Sea  of  Knowledge  and  Assurance  and  send  forth  the 
Faces  of  Significances  hidden  in  the  chambers  of 
Utterance,  in  the  Paradise  of  Knowledge,  the 
clamour  of  the  (religious)  doctors  would  be  raised 
from  every  direction,  and  thou  wouldst  find  the  peo- 
ple of  God  in  the  claws  of  the  wolves  who  have  dis- 
believed in  God,  in  the  Origin  and  Return.  We  did, 
therefore,  restrain  the  Pen  for  a  long  space  of  time, 
as  a  Wisdom  from  the  Presence  of  the  Clement  One, 
and  to  the  intent  of  protecting  Our  friends  from 
those  who  have  exchanged  the  Benefit  of  God  for 
their  infidelity  and  entitled  their  people  to  the  abode 
of  Perdition. 

O  thou  gazing  questioner  and  O  thou  whom  the 
Supreme  Concourse  have  attracted  unto  the  Exalted 
Word!  For  the  birds  of  the  realms  of  My  King- 
dom and  for  the  doves  of  the  garden  of  My  Wisdom, 
there  are  tunes  and  melodies,  of  which  none  is  in- 
formed save  God,  the  King  of  the  World  of  Domin- 
ion and  the  Empyrean  Realm.  Were  there  to  ap- 
pear even  less  than  a  needle's  eye  (i.  e.,  an  atom) 

10 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

thereof,  the  unjust  will  say  that  which  was  not  said 
even  by  the  former  (hostile)  communities  and  will 
commit  that  which  was  wrought  by  none,  in  all  ages 
and  centuries.  They  have  indeed  denied  the  Grace 
of  God  and  His  Argument,  the  Proof  of  God  and 
His  Signs;  they  have,  themselves,  erred  and  have 
also  led  the  people  astray,  while  they  perceive  not. 
They  worship  superstitions  and  know  not!  They 
have  adopted  for  themselves  imaginations  as  lords 
in  spite  of  God,  and  they  understand  not!  They 
have  abandoned  the  Most  Great  Sea,  hastening  to 
the  pool,  and  they  comprehend  not!  They  follow 
their  own  desires,  while  turning  away  from  God, 
the  Protector,  the  Self-subsistent! 

Say :  In  Truth,  the  Clement  One  hath  come  with 
Power  and  Might,  and  through  Him  the  (people 
of  all  the)  religions  have  trembled  with  fear,  and 
the  Nightingale  of  Utterance  hath  warbled  on  the 
highest  branch  of  knowledge  (to  wit)  :  He  hath 
indeed  appeared  who  was  hidden  in  the  (Divine) 
Knowledge  and  recorded  in  the  Book!  Say:  This 
is  the  Day  wherein  the  Speaker  of  the  Mount  is 
established  upon  the  Throne  of  Manifestation,  and 
the  people  have  resurrected  before  God,  the  Lord 
of  the  creatures!  This  is  the  Day  wherein  the  earth 
hath  revealed  her  news  and  uncovered  her  treasures, 
and  the  seas  their  pearls,  the  Sadrat  its  fruits,  the 
sun  its  effulgence,  the  moons  their  lights,  the  heaven 
its  stars,  the  "  Hour "  its  tokens,  the  Resurrection 

ii 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

its  majesty,  the  Pens  their  traces  and  the  spirits  their 
arcana.  Blessed  is  whosoever  knoweth  Him,  and 
woe  unto  those  who  denied  and  turned  away  from 
Him!  I  beg  of  God  to  enable  His  servants  to  re- 
turn. Verily  He  is  the  Lenient,  the  Forgiver,  the 
Merciful! 

O  thou  who  art  advancing  toward  the  Supreme 
Horizon  and  drinking  My  Sealed  Choice  Wine,  from 
the  Hands  of  Bestowal!  Know  thou,  verily,  there 
are  numerous  meanings  and  divers  stations  for 
"  Infallibility."  In  one  sense,  the  name  "  Infallibil- 
ity "  is  true  of  one  whom  God  hath  guarded  against 
error.  Likewise,  the  name  "  Infallibility  "  is  true 
of  every  one  whom  God  has  guarded  against  sin, 
transgression  and  unbelief,  infidelity,  polytheism  and 
the  like.  But  "The  Most  Great  Infallibility"  is 
applied  only  to  One  *  whose  station  is  sanctified 
above  commands  and  prohibitions  and  purified  from 
sin  and  forgetfulness.  Verily  He  is  a  light  which  is 
not  followed  by  darkness  and  a  rectitude  which  is 
proof  against  error.  If  He  declares  water  to  be 
wine,  or  heaven  to  be  earth,  or  light  to  be  fire,  it 
is  true  and  there  is  no  doubt  therein;  and  no  one 
has  the  right  to  oppose  Him,  or  to  say  "  why  "  or 
"  wherefore  " ;  and  he  who  disputes  Him  is,  verily, 
of  the  opposers  in  the  Book  of  God,  the  Lord  of  the 
creatures !  "  Verily  no  account  shall  be  demanded  of 

*  i.  e.,  Manifestation  of  God,  who  is  Himself  revealer  of  the  Law, 
etc. 

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Him  for  what  He  shall  do ;  but  an  account  shall  be 
demanded  of  all  for  all  they  shall  do"  (Koran). 

Verily  He  hath  come  from  the  Heaven  of  the 
Unseen,  and  with  Him  the  standard  of  "  HE  DOETH 
WHATSOEVER  HE  wiLLETH,"  and  the  hosts  of  power 
and  authority.  As  to  all  else  save  Him :  It  is  incum- 
bent upon  them  to  cling  unto  that  which  He  hath  com- 
manded—  of  laws  and  ordinances;  and  if  one  de- 
parts from  them  —  even  to  the  extent  of  a  single 
hair's  breadth  —  his  deeds  will  all  go  for  naught. 

Consider,  then  remember,  when  Mohammed,  the 
Messenger  of  God,  came,  He  said,  and  His  saying  is 
truth:  "  And  (it  is  a  duty)  toward  God,  (incum- 
bent on  people)  to  go  to  visit  the  House  (of  Mec- 
ca)." The  same  was  the  case  with  Prayer,  Fasting 
and  the  Ordinances  which  shone  forth  from  the  hor- 
izon of  the  Book  of  God,  the  Master  of  the  world 
and  the  Educator  of  nations.  It  was  incumbent  upon 
all  to  follow  Him  in  that  which  was  commanded  by 
God;  and  whosoever  denied  Him  disbelieved  in  God, 
in  His  Verses,  in  His  Messengers  and  in  His  Books. 
Verily  if  He  declareth  a  virtue  to  be  an  error,  or  in- 
fidelity to  be  faith,  it  is  a  truth  from  His  Presence. 
This  [the  Manifestation's]  is  a  Station  wherein  no 
error  or  sin  is  found  or  spoken  of. 

Consider  the  blessed,  revealed  Verse  by  which  the 
pilgrimage  of  the  "House"  (Mecca)  was  made 
obligatory  for  all.  And  it  was  incumbent  upon  those 
who  arose  after  Him  (Mohammed)  in  the  Cause, 

13 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

to  practice  that  whereunto  they  were  commanded  in 
the  Book.  No  one  has  a  right  to  depart  from  the 
Ordinances  of  God  and  His  Precepts,  and  whosoever 
departs  therefrom  is  verily  of  the  transgressors,  in 
the  Book  of  God,  the  Lord  of  the  Great  Throne. 

O  thou  who  art  gazing  toward  the  Horizon  of 
the  Cause !  Know  thou  verily  the  Desire  of  God 
is  never  restricted  to  the  limits  of  the  servants;  verily 
He  doth  not  walk  in  accord  with  their  ways ;  it  is  in- 
cumbent upon  all  to  hold  to  His  right  Path.  Verily 
if  He  declares  the  right  to  be  the  left,  or  the  south 
to  be  the  north,  it  is  true,  and  there  is  no  doubt 
therein.  Verily  He  is  to  be  praised  in  His  Deeds 
and  to  be  obeyed  in  His  Command.  He  hath  no 
associate  in  His  Behest  and  no  helper  in  His  Power; 
He  doeth  whatsoever  He  willeth,  and  commandeth 
whatsoever  He  desire th! 

Then  know  thou!  All  else  save  Him  are  but 
created  through  a  Word  from  His  Presence;  they 
have  no  motion  nor  quiescence  except  through  His 
Command  and  Permission. 

O  thou  who  art  soaring  in  the  atmosphere  of  love 
and  affection  and  gazing  toward  the  Lights  of  the 
Face  of  thy  Lord,  the  King  of  Origination !  Thank 
thou  God,  for  He  hath  unfolded  unto  thee  that 
which  was  hidden  and  concealed  in  the  (Divine) 
Knowledge;  so  that  all  may  know  that,  verily,  in 
the  station  of  "  the  Most  Mighty  Infallibility  "  He 
hath  taken  to  Himself  no  associate  nor  counsellor. 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

Verily,  He  is  the  Dawning-place  of  Commands  and 
Ordinances  and  the  Source  of  Knowledge  and  Wis- 
dom. All  else  save  Him  are  subjects  and  under  the 
Command,  while  He  is  the  Ruler,  the  Commander, 
the  Knower,  the  Omniscient! 

As  to  thee :  When  thou  art  attracted  by  the  Fra- 
grances of  the  Verses  of  the  Manifestation  and  over- 
come by  the  pure  (wine  of  the)  Kawther  *  from  the 
Hands  of  the  Bestowal  of  thy  Lord,  the  King  of 
the  Day  of  Ressurection,  say: 

O  my  God!  O  my  God!  Praise  be  unto  Thee, 
for  Thou  hast  directed  me  unto  Thyself,  guided  me 
unto  Thy  Horizon,  made  clear  unto  me  Thy  Path, 
manifested  unto  me  Thy  Proof,  and  caused  me  to 
advance  toward  Thee  while  most  of  Thy  servants 
turned  away  from  Thee  such  as  divines  and  religious 
doctors  and  those  who  followed  them  without  any 
evidence  on  Thy  part  or  argument  from  Thy  Pres- 
ence. Grace  be  unto  Thee,  O  Thou  God  of  Names, 
and  praise  be  unto  Thee,  O  Thou  Creator  of 
Heaven!  for  Thou  hast  caused  me  to  drink  Thy 
Sealed  Choice  Wine  in  Thy  Name,  the  Self-subsist- 
ent,  to  draw  nigh  unto  Thee,  and  to  know  the  Day- 
spring  of  Thy  Utterance,  the  Dawning-place  of  Thy 
Verses,  the  Source  of  Thy  Commands  and  Behests 
and  the  Fount  of  Thy  Wisdom  and  Favors. 

*  River  of   Paradise. 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

Blessed  is  the  land  which  is  honored  by  Thy  foot- 
steps, and  upon  which  the  Throne  of  Thy  Grandeur 
is  established,  and  in  which  the  Fragrance  of  Thy 
Garment  is  being  diffused !  By  Thy  Might,  by  Thy 
Power,  by  Thy  Potency  and  Authority  I  I  wish  not 
the  eye  except  to  behold  Thy  Beauty,  and  I  desire 
not  the  ear  except  to  hear  Thy  Voice  and  Verses. 

O  my  God!  O  my  God!  Deprive  not  the  eyes 
from  that  for  which  Thou  hast  created  them  and 
the  faces  from  turning  unto  Thy  Horizon,  standing 
before  the  Door  of  Thy  Grandeur,  being  present  be- 
fore Thy  Throne  and  humble  before  the  effulgences 
of  the  lights  of  the  Sun  of  Thy  Grace !  O  my  Lord ! 
I  am  the  one  whose  heart,  innermost  parts,  limbs  and 
whose  outward  and  inward  tongue  have  testified  to 
Thy  Oneness  and  Singleness;  and  that,  verily,  Thou 
art  God;  there  is  no  God  but  Thee!  Thou  hast  in- 
deed created  men  to  know  Thee  and  to  serve  Thy 
Cause,  whereby  their  stations  may  be  exalted  in  Thy 
earth  and  their  souls  be  uplifted  through  that  which 
Thou  hast  revealed  in  Thy  Epistles,  Books  and  Tab- 
lets. But  when  Thou  made  Thyself  manifest  and 
revealed  Thy  Verses,  they  turned  away  from  Thee, 
denied  Thee  and  disbelieved  that  which  Thou  hast 
shown  forth  by  Thy  Power  and  Thy  Potency.  And 
they  arose  to  persecute  Thee,  to  quench  Thy  Light 
and  to  extinguish  the  Fire  of  Thy  Sadrat;  and  they 
went  so  far  in  oppression  as  to  desire  to  shed  Thy 


16 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

blood  and  violate  Thy  honor.  Likewise,  he  *  whom 
Thou  didst  train  by  the  hands  of  Thy  Providence 
and  didst  protect  from  the  evil  of  the  rebels  among 
Thy  creatures  and  the  oppressors  among  Thy  serv- 
ants, he  who  was  (employed)  to  write  down  Thy 
Verses  before  Thy  Throne  —  alas !  alas !  for  that 
which  he  wrought  in  Thy  days :  in  such  wise  that  he 
violated  Thy  Covenant  and  Testament,  denied  Thy 
Verses,  arose  in  opposition  and  committed  that  where- 
by the  denizens  of  Thy  Kingdom  lamented!  And 
when  he  was  disappointed  in  himself  and  discovered 
the  odor  of  loss,  he  cried  and  said  that  whereat  the 
favored  among  Thy  Chosen  Ones  and  the  dwellers 
of  the  pavilions  of  Thy  Glory  were  astonished! 

Thou  beholdest  me,  O  my  God,  like  unto  a  fish 
moving  in  anguish  upon  the  earth!  Deliver  me; 
then  have  pity  on  me,  O  Thou  Deliverer !  O  Thou 
in  whose  Hand  are  the  reins  of  all  men  and  women 
among  mankind! 

Whenever  I  reflect  upon  my  great  sins  and  im- 
mense transgressions,  despair  overtakes  me  from  all 
sides;  and  whenever  I  reflect  upon  the  Sea  of  Thy 
Bestowal,  the  Heaven  of  Thy  Bounty,  and  upon  the 
Sun  of  Thy  Grace,  I  find  the  fragrance  of  hope  from 
the  right  and  the  left,  from  the  north  and  the  south, 
as  if  all  things  rejoice  me  with  the  rains  of  the  clouds 
of  the  Heaven  of  Thy  Mercy.  O  Thou  Support  of 

*».    e.,    Ezel. 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

the  sincere  ones  and  Thou  Desire  of  the  Favored 
Ones!  By  Thy  Might!  Thy  Gifts  and  Thy  Fa- 
vors  and  the  appearances  of  Thy  Grace  and  Provi- 
dence have  emboldened  me;  otherwise,  how  could  a 
non-existent  one  speak  of  Him  upon  whose  Presence 
through  a  word  the  whole  existence  has  appeared! 
and  how  could  a  lost  one  describe  Him  of  whom  it  is 
proved  by  argument  that,  "  Verily  He  cannot  be  de- 
scribed by  description  or  spoken  of  by  words;  He 
has  ever  been  sanctified  beyond  the  comprehension 
of  His  creatures  and  purified  above  the  knowledge 
of  His  servants  "  !  * 

O  my  God!  Thou  beholdest  a  dead  one  before 
Thy  Face,  deprive  him  not  from  the  Cup  of  Life 
in  Thy  Bounty  and  Beneficence;  and  a  sick  one  be- 
fore Thy  Throne,  withhold  him  not  from  the  Sea 
of  Thy  Healing.  I  beg  of  Thee  to  strengthen  me 
under  all  circumstances  to  commemorate  and  praise 
Thee  and  to  serve  Thy  Cause;  while  I  know  that 
whatever  appear  from  a  servant  is  restricted  to  the 
limits  of  himself  and  is  not  worthy  of  Thy  Presence 
nor  befitteth  the  Court  of  Thy  Might  and  Grandeur. 

By  Thy  Might !  Were  it  not  for  to  praise  Thee  my 
tongue  were  of  no  benefit  to  me,  and  were  it  not  for 
to  serve  Thee  my  being  were  of  no  use  to  me.  And 
I  wish  not  the  eye  but  to  behold  the  lights  of  Thy 
Supreme  Horizon,  and  I  desire  not  the  ear  except  to 
hear  Thy  sweet  Voice. 

*  Utterance    of   the    BAB. 

18 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

Alas !  Alas !  O  my  Lord,  my  Support,  my  Hope ! 
I  know  not  whether  Thou  hast  ordained  for  me  that 
whereby  my  eye  may  be  consoled,  my  breast  dilated 
and  my  heart  rejoiced,  or  that  Thine  Immutable  De- 
cree hath  prevented  me  from  presenting  myself  be- 
fore Thy  Throne,  O  Thou  King  of  Pre-existence 
and  Ruler  of  nations! 

By  Thy  Might,  Thy  Power,  Thy  Grandeur,  Thy 
Dominion!  The  gloom  of  remoteness  hath  smitten 
me:  Where  is  the  light  of  Thy  Nearness?  O  Thou 
Object  of  the  Knowing!  And  the  awfulness  of  sep- 
aration hath  stunned  me:  Where  is  the  radiance  of 
Thy  Union?  O  Thou  Beloved  of  the  sincere! 

Thou  beholdest,  O  my  God,  that  which  hath  be- 
fallen me  in  Thy  Path,  on  the  part  of  those  who 
have  denied  Thy  Truth,  violated  Thy  Covenant,  dis- 
puted Thy  Verses  and  rejected  Thy  Benefit  after  its 
appearance  and  Thy  Word  after  its  revelation  and 
Thy  Proof  after  its  completion! 

O  my  Lord!  The  tongue  of  my  tongue,  the 
heart  of  my  heart,  the  soul  of  my  soul,  and  my  in- 
ward and  outward  being  all  testify  to  Thy  Oneness 
and  Singleness,  to  Thy  Power  and  Authority,  to 
Thy  Grandeur  and  Dominion,  and  to  Thy  Might 
and  Exaltation  and  Sovereignty,  and  to  that,  verily, 
Thou  art  God.  There  is  no  God  but  Thee.  Thou 
hast  been  everlastingly  a  Treasury  concealed  from 
eyes  and  comprehension  and  wilt  be  never-endingly 
even  as  Thou  hast  been  from  all  eternity.  Neither 

19 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

hath  the  power  of  the  world  weakened  Thee,  nor 
the  potency  of  nations  threatened  Thee.  Thou  art 
He  who  hath  opened  the  door  of  Knowledge  before 
the  face  of  Thy  servants,  so  that  they  may  know  the 
Day-spring  of  Thy  Revelation,  the  Dawning-place 
of  Thy  Verses,  the  Heaven  of  Thy  Manifestation, 
the  Sun  of  Thy  Beauty;  and  (Thou  art  He)  who 
hath  promised  all  in  the  earth,  in  Thy  Books,  Epistles 
and  Scriptures,  concerning  the  Manifestation  of  Thy- 
self and  the  removal  of  the  veils  of  Glory  from 
Thy  Face.  This  Thou  didst  reveal  unto  Thy  Be- 
loved One  (Mohammed)  by  whom  the  Orb  of  the 
Command  dawned  from  the  horizon  of  Hijaz  and 
the  light  of  Truth  dawned  among  the  servants,  in 
Thy  Words,  "  The  Day  whereon  mankind  shall  arise 
before  the  Lord  of  the  creatures"  (Koran).  And 
before  Him  (i.  e.,  Mohammed),  Thou  didst  an- 
nounce this  unto  the  Interlocutor  (Moses)  to  "lead 
forth  Thy  people  from  darkness  into  light  and  to 
remind  them  of  the  days  of  God"  (Koran).  And, 
again,  Thou  didst  speak  of  this  (Day)  unto  the 
Spirit  (Christ)  and  unto  all  Thy  former  and  latter 
Prophets  and  Messengers.  Were  there  to  proceed 
from  the  treasuries  of  Thy  Supreme  Pen  all  that 
Thou  hast  revealed  in  the  mention  of  this  Most  Great 
Remembrance  and  this  Thy  Mighty  Message,  all 
the  denizens  of  the  City  of  Knowledge  and  Wisdom 
would  be  stunned,  except  whomsoever  Thou  hast 


20 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

delivered  through  Thy  Potency  and  protected  through 
Thy  Bounty  and  Grace. 

I  testify  that  verily  Thou  hast  fulfilled  Thy  Cove- 
nant and  sent  forth  Him  whose  Manifestation  was 
announced  by  Thy  Prophets,  Thy  Chosen  Ones  and 
Thy  Servants.  Verily  He  hath  come  from  the  hori- 
zon of  Might  and  Power  with  the  banners  of  Thy 
Signs  *  and  with  the  standards  of  Thy  Evidences, 
and  He  hath  arisen  before  the  faces  through  Thy 
Power  and  Potency  and  summoned  all  men  unto  the 
exalted  Apex  and  Supreme  Horizon  in  such  wise  that 
the  injustice  of  the  learned  and  the  majesty  of  princes 
have  not  withheld  Him.  He  hath  arisen  in  the  Most 
Mighty  Steadfastness  and  spoken  in  the  loftiest 
Voice  (saying),  "The  Giver  of  Gifts  hath  indeed 
come,  riding  on  the  cloud;  advance,  O  ye  people  of 
the  earth,  with  shining  faces  and  illumined  hearts !  " 
Blessed  is  whosoever  attains  to  Thy  Meeting,  drinks 
the  Choice  Wine  of  Union  from  the  Hands  of  Thy 
Bestowal,  discovers  the  fragrance  of  Thy  Verses, 
speaks  in  Thy  Praise,  soars  in  Thy  Atmosphere,  and 
is  overcome  by  the  attraction  of  Thy  Utterance,  and 
whom  Thou  hast  caused  to  enter  Thy  Supreme  Para- 
dise— the  station  of  Revelation  and  Vision — before 
the  Throne  of  Thy  Grandeur! 

O  my  Lord !  I  beg  of  Thee,  by  the  "  Most  Great 
Infallibility  "  which  Thou  hast  made  to  be  a  horizon 
for  Thy  Manifestation,  and  by  Thy  exalted  Word 

*  Verses. 

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Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

by  which  the  creation  was  created  and  the  Command 
was  made  manifest,  and  by  this  Name  whereby  the 
Names  lamented  and  the  nerves  of  the  knowing  ones 
trembled  with  fear,  to  make  me  so  severed  from  all 
else  save  Thee  that  I  may  not  move  except  by  Thy 
Desire  nor  speak  except  by  Thy  Will  and  hear  naught 
but  Thy  Commemoration  and  praise. 

Praise  be  unto  Thee,  O  my  God,  and  thanks  be 
unto  Thee,  O  my  Hope,  for  that  Thou  hast  made 
clear  unto  me  Thy  right  Path,  revealed  unto  me  Thy 
Great  Message,  and  assisted  me  to  advance  toward 
the  Day-spring  of  Thy  Revelation  and  the  Source 
of  Thy  Command  after  Thy  servants  and  creatures 
have  denied  Him ! 

I  beg  of  Thee,  O  Thou  King  of  the  Kingdom  of 
Immortality !  by  the  sound  of  Thy  Supreme  Pen,  and 
by  the  Fire  ablaze  and  in  utterance  in  Thy  "  Ver- 
dant Tree,"  and  by  the  Ark  which  Thou  hast  special- 
ized to  the  people  of  Baha,  to  enable  me  to  be  stead- 
fast in  Thy  Love,  to  be  pleased  with  that  which  Thou 
hast  ordained  for  me  in  Thy  Book,  and  to  stand  in 
Thy  Service  and  in  the  service  of  Thy  friends.  Then 
assist  Thy  servants,  O  my  God,  in  that  by  reason  of 
which  Thy  Cause  will  be  elevated,  and  to  practice 
what  Thou  hast  revealed  in  Thy  Book.  Verily  Thou 
art  the  Powerful  and  the  Protector  of  all  that  Thou 
wiliest  and  in  Thy  Grasp  are  the  reins  of  all  things ! 
There  is  no  God  but  Thee,  the  Potent,  the  Knower, 
the  Wise! 

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Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

O  thou  Jabeel !  We  have  indeed  shown  unto  thee 
the  sea  and  its  waves,  the  sun  and  its  effulgence,  the 
heaven  and  its  stars  and  the  shells  and  their  pearls. 
Thank  thou  God  for  this  most  great  favor  and  for 
this  beneficence  which  hath  pervaded  the  whole  world. 

O  thou  who  art  turning  toward  the  light  of  the 
Face!  Superstitions  have  indeed  encompassed  the 
denizens  of  the  earth  and  have  prevented  them  from 
turning  unto  the  Horizon  of  Certainty  and  its  efful- 
gence, radiances  and  lights.  Through  fancies  they 
are  withheld  from  the  Self-subsistent  One;  they  speak 
after  their  desires  and  perceive  not.  Some  among 
them  say:  "  Have  the  Verses  been  revealed?  "  Say: 
Yea,  by  the  Lord  of  Heavens !  "  Hath  the  *  Hour ' 
arrived?"  Yea  —  nay:  It  hath  aleady  gone  by  — 
by  the  Manifestor  of  Evident  Signs!  The  "  Infalli- 
ble "  *  hath  indeed  come,  and  the  True  One  hath  ap- 
peared with  proof  and  argument!  The  "Sahirah"  f 
hath  become  manifest  and  people  are  in  dread  and  ag- 
itation! The  "  earthquakes'*  have  indeed  come  and 
the  multitudes  have  lamented  in  fear  of  God,  the 
Powerful,  the  Mighty!  Say:  "The  stunning 
sound  "  (of  the  trumpet)  is  sounded  and  the  Day 
belongs  to  God,  the  Wise,  the  Un-constrained !  And 
they  say:  "  Hath  the  '  Catastrophe  '  been  fulfilled?" 

*  'Literally,  "  Alhakkat."  This,  and  the  signs  preceding  and  following, 
are  the  names  and  signs  of  the  Day  of  Judgment  according  to  the  Koran. 
ch.  69,  vs.  1,  2  and  3. 

^.Literally,  "  the  earth,"  "  the  face  of  the  earth."  According  to 
Mohammedan  tradition,  Sahira  is  a  land  which  God  would  create  for  the 
Day  of  Judgment.  Hence,  a  sign  of  the  Resurrection,  Day. 

23 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

Say:  Aye,  by  the  Lord  of  Lords !  "  Hath  the  Res- 
urrection been  set  up?  "  Yea  —  nay,  even  the  Self- 
subsistent  One  (hath  arisen)  in  the  Kingdom  of 
Signs!  "  *  "  Are  the  people  found  *  prostrated  '  ?  " 
Yea,  by  my  Lord,  the  Supreme,  the  ABHA!  "  Have 
the  tree-trunks  been  '  uprooted  '  ?  "  Nay,  even  the 
mountains  are  pulled  down  —  by  the  King  of  Attri- 
butes! Then  another  says:  "Where  is  the  *  Para- 
dise '  and  the  *  Hell '  ?  "  Say,  the  former  is  My 
Meeting,  and  the  latter  is  thyself,  O  thou  doubting 
polytheist!  They  say:  "Verily,  we  do  not  see  the 
*  Balance  V  Say :  Aye,  by  my  Lord,  the  Clement, 
none  shall  see  it  except  the  possessors  of  insight! 
They  say:  "Have  the  stars  fallen?"  Say:  Aye, 
(they  did)  when  the  Pre-existent  One  was  in  the 
Land  of  Mystery  f !  Be  ye  therefore  admonished, 
O  possessors  of  sight!  All  the  signs  indeed  became 
manifest  when  We  stretched  out  the  Hand  of  Power 
from  the  bosom  of  Grandeur  and  Omnipotence !  The 
Crier  hath  indeed  called  out,  for  the  (Day  of) 
"  Promise  "  hath  come,  and  the  dwellers  of  the  (Sin- 
iatic)  Mount  are  stunned  in  the  desert  of  suspension 
(or  sojourn)  because  of  the  Majesty  of  thy  Lord, 
the  King  of  Origination!  Then  they  say:  "  Hath 
the  trumpet  been  sounded?  "  Say:  Yea,  by  the  King 
of  Manifestation!  (It  did)  when  He  was  seated  up- 
on the  throne  of  His  Name,  the  Clement!  The 


*  Verses, 
t  Adrianople. 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

gloomy  darkness  hath  been  illuminated  through  the 
dawn  of  the  Mercy  of  thy  Lord,  the  Dawning-place 
of  Lights.  The  Breeze  of  the  Merciful  One  hath 
indeed  been  wafted,  and  the  souls  are  refreshed  in 
the  graves  of  bodies.  Thus  hath  the  matter  been  de- 
creed on  the  part  of  God,  the  Mighty,  the  Bestower! 
Those  who  disbelieved  said :  "  When  did  the 
heaven  cleave  asunder?  "  Say:  When  ye  were  in  the 
tombs  of  heedlessness  and  error.  Some  other  one 
among  the  infidels  wipes  his  eyes  and  gazes  at  the 
right  and  left.  Say:  Verily,  thou  hast  become  blind, 
and,  in  this  Day,  there  is  no  refuge  for  thee.  Still 
others  say:  "Have  the  souls  (men)  been  resur- 
rected?" Say:  Aye,  by  my  Lord;  when  ye  were 
(asleep)  in  the  beds  of  superstitions!  Others  say: 
"  Hath  the  Book  been  revealed  through  *  a  creative 
power'  ?"  Say,  verily,  even  it  (i.  e.,  "creative 
power")  is  astonished  thereat!  Be  ye  warned,  O 
ye  spiritually  minded !  Again,  some  say :  "  Have 
the  blind  been  restored  to  sight?  "  Say:  Yea,  by  the 
One  who  rides  upon  the  cloud!  Paradise  is  indeed 
adorned  with  the  roses  of  significances,  and  hell  is 
ablaze  with  the  fire  of  the  wicked!  Say:  The  Light 
hath  indeed  risen  from  the  horizon  of  Manifestation, 
and  the  regions  are  illumined,  since  the  King  of  the 
Day  of  the  Covenant  hath  come.  Those  who  have 
doubted  are  indeed  in  loss,  but  they  have  gained  who 
advanced  with  the  light  of  conviction  toward  the 
Dawning-place  of  Assurance! 

25 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

Blessed  art  thou,  O  thou  gazer!  for  that  We 
have  revealed  unto  thee  this  Tablet,  by  which  souls 
fly  (with  joy)  !  Guard  it;  then  read  it.  By  My 
Life,  it  is  the  Door  of  the  Mercy  of  thy  Lord! 
Blessed  is  whosoever  reads  it  (i.  e.}  this  Tablet)  at 
morn  and  eve ! 

Verily,  We  have  heard  thy  mention  in  this  Cause, 
by  which  the  mountain  of  knowledge  is  leveled,  and 
by  which  many  a  step  has  slipped !  El-Baha  be  up- 
on the  people  of  Baha,  who  have  advanced  toward 
the  Mighty  One,  the  Bestower! 

The  Tablet  has  indeed  ended,  but  Our  Utterance 
hath  not  come  to  an  end.  Be  thou  patient,  verily 
thy  Lord  is  the  All-patient  One  I 

These  are  verses  which  We  have  revealed  former- 
ly, upon  Our  arrival  at  this  Most  Great  Prison,  and 
We  send  them  unto  thee  in  order  that  thou  may'st 
know  what  hath  been  spoken  by  the  tongues  of  the 
liars,  when  God  came  with  Power  and  Dominion! 
The  foundation  of  suspicions  is  shaken,  the  heaven 
of  superstitions  is  cloven  asunder,  while  yet  people 
are  in  doubt  and  dispute!  They  have  denied  the 
Proof  of  God  and  His  Argument,  after  He  hath 
come  from  the  horizon  of  Power  with  the  Kingdom 
of  Signs.  *  They  have  abandoned  that  whereunto 
they  have  been  commanded,  and  have  committed  that 
which  was  forbidden  in  the  Book;  and  they  have  for- 
saken their  God  and  taken  hold  of  their  desires.  Are 

Verses. 

26 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

they  not  in  heedlessness  and  error?  They  read  the 
Verses  and  deny  them ;  they  witness  the  Evident  Signs 
and  turn  away  from  them !  Are  they  not  in  amazing 
doubts? 

Verily,  We  have  exhorted  Our  friends  to  the  piety 
of  God,  which  is  the  dawning-place  of  (good) 
deeds  and  morals.  Verily,  it  (i.  e.,  piety)  is  the 
leader  of  the  hosts  of  Justice  in  the  City  of  El-Baha. 
Blessed  is  whosoever  entereth  under  its  shining  ban- 
ner and  adhereth  thereto  I  Such  an  one  is  of  the 
companions  of  the  Red  Ark,  the  mention  of  which 
has  been  revealed  in  the  Book  of  "  Gayoom'Ul- 
Asma'a."  * 

Say:  O  people  of  God!  Adorn  your  temples 
with  the  mantle  of  trustworthiness  and  integrity; 
then  assist  your  Lord  with  the  hosts  of  (good)  deeds 
and  morals.  Verily,  We  have  forbidden  you  sedi- 
tion and  strife,  in  My  Books  and  Epistles,  in  My 
Writings  and  Tablets;  and  by  this  We  have  desired 
only  your  loftiness  and  exaltation.  Whereunto  tes- 
tify the  heaven  and  its  stars,  the  sun  and  its  efful- 
gence, the  trees  and  their  leaves,  the  seas  and  their 
waves,  the  earth  and  its  treasures  1  We  beg  of  God 
to  assist  His  friends  and  to  strengthen  them  in  that 
which  is  worthy  of  them,  in  this  station,  the  blessed, 
the  mighty,  the  wonderful  1  And  We  beg  of  Him  to 

*  Literally,      "  The    Self-subsistent    of    the    Names."      Revealed    by    the 
BAB. 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

enable  those  around  Me  to  practice  that  whereunto 
they  are  commanded  by  My  Supreme  Pen. 

O  Jabeel!  Upon  thee  be  My  Glory  and  Provi- 
dence! Verily,  We  have  commanded  the  servants 
to  (do)  that  which  is  just,  and  they  have  done  that 
by  reason  of  which  My  heart  and  My  pen  lamented ! 
Hearken  unto  that  which  hath  been  revealed  from  the 
Heaven  of  My  Will  and  the  Kingdom  of  My  Desire : 
My  affliction  is  not  My  imprisonment,  nor  that 
which  hath  befallen  Me  from  My  enemies;  nay,  it 
is  from  those  who  relate  themselves  unto  My  Person 
and  commit  that  by  which  My  lamentation  is  being 
raised  and  My  tears  flow.  We  have  indeed  exhorted 
them  by  manifold  Utterances  in  manifold  Tablets. 
We  beg  of  God  to  assist  them,  to  draw  them  nigh 
(unto  Him)  and  to  strengthen  them  in  that  where- 
by the  hearts  may  be  tranquilized  and  the  souls  com- 
posed; and  to  withhold  them  from  that  which  is  not 
worthy  His  Days. 

Say:  O  my  friends  in  My  lands!  Hearken  un- 
to the  advice  of  One  who  exhorteth  you  sincerely  for 
the  sake  of  God.  Verily,  He  hath  created  you  and 
manifested  unto  you  that  which  will  elevate  you, 
profit  you  and  make  known  unto  you  His  Right  Path 
and  Great  Message. 

O  Jaleel  1  Exhort  the  servants  to  the  piety  of  God. 
In  Truth,  piety  is  the  first  leader  among  the  armies 
of  thy  Lord;  and  its  hosts  are  pleasing  morals  and 
pure  deeds.  By  these  are  the  cities  of  hearts  and 

28 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

minds  conquered  in  all  ages  and  centuries  and  the 
standards  of  victory  and  triumph  are  planted  on  the 
loftiest  places. 

Verily,  We  mention  unto  thee  Trustworthiness 
and  its  station  before  God,  thy  Lord,  and  the  Lord 
of  the  Great  Throne.  Verily,  one  day  We  betook 
Ourself  unto  Our  Green  Island.  *  When  We  arrived 
thither  We  found  its  streams  flowing,  its  trees  lux- 
uriant and  the  sun  playing  in  the  interstices  of  their 
branches.  We  turned  unto  the  right  and  beheld 
what  the  pen  cannot  move  to  describe  or  to  depict 
that  which  the  eye  of  the  Lord  of  men  beheld  in  that 
place,  the  most  excellent,  the  most  glorious,  the 
blessed,  the  Supreme! 

Then  advancing  toward  the  left,  We  beheld  one 
of  the  Countenances  of  the  Supreme  Paradise  stand- 
ing upon  a  pillar  of  light  and  calling  in  the  loftiest 
Voice:  "  O  Concourse  of  heaven  and  earth!  Gaze 
upon  my  beauty,  my  light,  my  manifestation,  my  ap- 
pearance. By  God,  the  True  One,  I  am  Trustworthi- 
ness and  its  appearance  and  its  beauty;  and  I  am 
the  reward  to  whomsoever  clings  thereto,  recogniz- 
eth  its  worth  and  station,  and  adhereth  unto  its 
hems.  I  am  the  greatest  ornament  to  the  people  of 
Baha  and  a  mantle  of  glory  to  all  in  the  Kingdom 
of  Emanation.  And  I  am  the  most  great  means  for 
the  affluence  of  the  world  and  the  horizon  of  tran- 
quility  to  the  people  of  existence. 

*  The  Garden  of  Rizwan. 

29 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

Thus  have  We  re\  ealed  unto  thee  that  which  will 
draw  the  servants  nigh  unto  the  King  of  Origination! 

The  Supreme  Pen  now  turns  from  the  Eloquent 
Language  (Arabic)  to  the  Luminous  Language 
(Persian),  so  that  Jaleel  may  recognize  the  Favor 
of  his  Beautiful  Lord  and  be  of  those  who  are 
thankful. 

O  thou  who  art  gazing  toward  the  Supreme  Hori- 
zon! The  Call  is  aloft  but  the  sense  of  hearing  (in 
men)  is  scanty,  nay  even  entirely  absent.  While  in 
the  jaws  of  a  dragon,  this  Oppressed  One  makes  men- 
tion of  the  friends  of  God.  In  these  days,  that 
which  caused  grief  and  lamentation  to  the  Supreme 
Concourse  was  inflicted  on  us!  Neither  the  tyranny 
of  the  world,  nor  the  harm  done  by  nations  could 
withhold  the  King  of  Pre-existence  from  utterance  or 
prevent  Him  from  His  Desire.  Those  souls  who,  for 
years,  were  concealed  behind  veils,  when  they  found 
the  horizon  of  the  Cause  luminous  and  the  Word  of 
God  effective,  rushed  forth  (from  concealment)  with 
swords  of  rancor  and  inflicted  (on  us)  that  which 
the  pen  is  unable  to  portray  and  the  tongue  is  im- 
potent to  describe.  Men  of  justice  testify  and  bear 
witness  that  from  the  beginning  of  the  Cause,  this 
Oppressed  One  has  arisen  before  the  faces  of  kings 
and  subjects,  the  learned  and  the  princes,  without  veil 
or  covering,  and  has  summoned  them  all,  with  the 
loudest  voice,  unto  the  Right  Path.  He  has  had  no 
helper  save  His  Pen  and  no  assistant  save  Himself. 

30 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

Those  souls  who  are  uninformed  and  heedless  of  the 
origin  of  the  matter  arose  in  opposition.  They  are 
the  "  croakers  "  whom  God  hath  mentioned  in  Books 
and  Tablets  and  warned  His  servants  concerning  their 
dissemination,  clamor  and  corruptions.  Blessed  are 
they  who  consider  all  in  the  world  as  non-existent 
and  nothing  before  the  mention  of  the  King  of  Pre- 
existence;  and  who  so  adhere  unto  the  Firm  Handle 
of  God  that  neither  doubts  or  (evil)  suggestions, 
nor  swords  and  cannon,  can  withhold  or  deprive 
them!  Blessed  are  the  steadfast;  blessed  are  the 
firm! 

In  accord  with  your  Honor's  request,  the  Supreme 
Pen  hath  described  the  grades  and  stations  of  the 
"  Most  Great  Infallibility."  Our  purpose  has  been 
that  all  should  thereby  know,  with  manifest  certainty, 
that  the  "  Seal  of  the  Prophets  "  —  May  the  life  of 
all  else  be  a  sacrifice  to  Him !  —  has  had  no  like,  peer 
or  associate  in  His  own  station.  The  Saints  * — 
May  the  praise  of  God  be  upon  them! — were  all 
created  by  His  Word.  After  Him,  they  were  the 
most  knowing  and  superior  among  the  servants ;  and 
they  stood  in  the  highest  grade  of  servitude. 

That  the  Divine  Essence  is  sanctified  beyond  hav- 
ing any  equal  or  peer,  and  that  His  Being  is  purified 
above  having  any  associate  or  like,  is  manifest  and  has 
been  proven  to  your  Honor.  This  is  the  station  of 
real  (faith  in  the  Divine)  Unity  and  Ideal  Single- 


h  Imams  and  successor  of  Mohammed. 

31 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

ness;  but  the  former  community  (Islamites)  are  de- 
prived and  prevented  from  (recognizing)  this  sta- 
tion as  it  ought  to  be  duly  recognized.  His  Holiness, 
the  Point  —  May  the  life  of  all  else  be  a  sacrifice  to 
Him !  —  has  said :  "  If  His  Holiness  '  the  Seal '  had 
not  uttered  the  word  Velayat,*  no  Velayat  would  be 
created/'  The  former  community  have  been  poly- 
theists,  yet  have  they  counted  themselves  as  believers 
in  (the  Divine)  Unity;  they  have  been  the  most 
ignorant  among  the  servants,  yet  have  they  consid- 
ered themselves  superior  to  all !  As  a  retribution  to 
those  heedless  souls,  the  state  of  their  belief  and  the 
degrees  of  their  rank  became  manifest  and  evident 
in  this  Day  of  Retribution,  before  every  man  of  dis- 
cernment and  knowledge.  Beg  thou  of  God  that  he 
may  protect  the  servants  of  this  Manifestation  from 
the  fancies  and  superstitions  of  the  former  commun- 
ity and  deprive  them  not  from  the  effulgence  of  the 
lights  of  the  Sun  of  real  (faith  in)  Unity. 

O  Jaleel !  The  Oppressed  One  of  the  world  says : 
The  Orb  of  Justice  is  concealed;  the  sun  of  equity  is 
behind  the  clouds;  thieves  occupy  the  position  of 
guardians  and  protectors,  and  traitors  are  seated  in 
the  place  of  trustworthy  ones.  In  the  preceding  year, 
a  tyrant  occupied  the  seat  of  the  governorship  of  this 
city.  At  every  instance  We  suffered  a  harm  from 
him.  By  the  Life  of  God,  he  wrought  that  which 

*  i.   e.     successorship.      "Velayat"   is   the   station   of  twelve   Imams,   the 
saints   and  successors  of  Mohammed. 

32 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

caused  the  greatest  dread  (to  men) .  But  the  tyranny 
of  the  whole  world  can  never  withhold  the  Supreme 
Pen.  Out  of  especial  Grace  and  Mercy  to  the  Prin- 
ces and  Counsellors  of  the  earth  We  wrote  that  which 
is  conducive  to  protection,  security,  tranquility  and 
composure  —  perchance  the  servants  may  be  pro- 
tected from  the  wickedness  of  tyrants.  Verily  He 
is  the  Guardian,  the  Helper,  the  Confirmer ! 

The  men  of  the  House  of  Justice  of  God  must, 
night  and  day,  gaze  toward  that  which  hath  been 
revealed  from  the  horizon  of  the  Heaven  of  the  Su- 
preme Pen  for  the  training  of  the  servants  (people), 
for  the  upbuilding  of  countries,  for  the  protection  of 
men  and  for  the  preservation  of  (human)  honor: 

THE  FIRST  ISHRAK  (i.  e.,  EFFULGENCE)  : 

When  the  sun  of  Wisdom  dawned  from  the  hori- 
zon of  Administration,  it  spoke  in  these  exalted 
words : 

The  people  of  wealth  and  men  of  honor  and 
power  must  have  the  best  possible  regard  for  the  re- 
spect of  Religion.  Religion  is  a  manifest  light  and  a 
strong  fortress  for  the  protection  and  tranquility  of 
the  people  of  the  world.  For  the  fear  of  God  com- 
mands people  to  do  that  which  is  just  and  forbids 
them  that  which  is  evil.  If  the  lamp  of  Religion 
remain  concealed  agitation  and  anarchy  would  pre- 
vail, and  the  orb  of  Justice  and  Equity  and  the  sun 

33 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

of  Peace  and  Tranquility  would  be  withheld  from 
giving  light.  Every  man  of  discernment  testifies  to 
that  which  is  (here)  mentioned. 


THE  SECOND  ISHRAK: 

We  have  commanded  the  Most  Great  Peace,  which 
is  the  greatest  means  for  the  protection  of  mankind. 
The  rulers  of  the  world  must,  in  one  accord,  adhere 
to  this  Command  which  is  the  main  cause  for  the 
security  and  tranquility  of  the  world.  They  (i.  e.f 
Rulers)  are  day-springs  of  the  Power  and  dawning- 
places  of  the  Authority  of  God.  We  beg  of  God  to 
assist  them  in  that  which  is  conducive  to  the  peace 
of  the  servants  (peoples). 

The  account  of  this  subject  has  been  previously 
revealed  from  the  Supreme  Pen.  Blessed  are  those 
who  act  accordingly! 

THE  THIRD  ISHRAK 

commands  the  executing  of  the  penal  laws,  for  this 
is  the  primary  means  for  the  maintenance  of  the 
world.  The  heaven  of  Divine  Wisdom  is  illumined 
and  shining  with  two  orbs  —  Consultation  and  Kind- 
ness. And  the  tent  of  the  order  of  the  world  is 
hoisted  and  established  on  two  pillars  —  Reward  and 
Retribution. 

34 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

THE  FOURTH  ISHRAK  : 

In  this  Manifestation,  victorious  hosts  are  worthy 
deeds  and  morals,  and  the  leader  and  commander  of 
these  hosts  is  Godlike  piety.  This  comprehends  all 
and  rules  over  all ! 

THE  FIFTH  ISHRAK 

is  that  governments  must  be  acquainted  with  the  con- 
ditions (or  deserts)  of  the  officials  and  must  confer 
upon  them  dignity  and  positions  in  accord  with 
(men's)  due  measure  and  merit.  To  have  regard 
for  this  matter  is  obligatory  and  incumbent  on  every 
chief  and  ruler.  Thus,  perchance,  traitors  shall  not 
usurp  the  place  of  trustworthy  men,  or  spoilers  oc- 
cupy the  seat  of  guardians. 

In  this  Most  Great  Prison,  among  the  officials 
formerly  and  recently  appointed,  some  have  been  — 
Praise  be  to  God!  —  adorned  with  the  ornament  of 
Justice;  but  some  others  of  them  *  *  *  —  We 
take  refuge  in  God!  We  beg  of  God  that  He  may 
guide  them  all,  perchance  they  may  not  be  deprived 
of  the  fruits  of  the  Tree  of  Trustworthiness  and  In- 
tegrity, nor  withheld  from  the  Lights  of  the  sun  of 
Equity  and  Justice. 

THE  SIXTH  ISHRAK 

is  concerning  union  and  harmony  among  servants 
(mankind) .  Through  union  the  regions  of  the  world 

35 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

have  ever  been  illuminated  with  the  light  of  the  (Di- 
vine) Cause.  The  greatest  means  (for  this  end)  is 
that  the  peoples  should  be  familiar  with  each  other's 
writing  and  language. 

We  have  formerly  commanded,  in  the  Tablets,  that 
the  trustees  of  the  House  of  Justice  must  select  one 
tongue  out  of  the  present  languages,  or  a  new  lan- 
guage, and  likewise  select  one  among  the  various 
writings  and  teach  them  to  children  in  the  schools  of 
the  world,  so  that  the  whole  world  may  thereby  be 
considered  as  one  native  land  and  one  part. 

The  most  splendid  fruit  of  the  Tree  of  Knowl- 
edge is  this  exalted  Word:  Ye  are  all  fruits  of  one 
tree  and  leaves  of  one  branch.  Glory  is  not  his  who 
loves  his  own  country,  but  glory  is  his  who  loves  his 
kind. 

In  this  connection  We  have  formerly  revealed  that 
which  is  the  means  for  the  prosperity  of  the  world 
and  the  unification  of  nations.  Blessed  are  those 
who  attain!  Blessed  are  those  who  practice! 

THE  SEVENTH  ISHRAK: 

The  Supreme  Pen  enjoins  upon  all  to  instruct  and 
educate  the  children.  Upon  Our  arrival  in  the  Pris- 
on (Acca),  the  following  Verses  have  in  this  connec- 
tion been  revealed  in  the  Book  of  Akdas,  from  the 
Heaven  of  the  Divine  Will :  It  is  decreed  that  every 
father  must  educate  his  sons  and  daughters  in  learn- 

36 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

ing  and  in  writing  and  also  in  that  which  hath  been 
ordained  in  the  Tablet.  He  who  neglects  that  which 
hath  been  commanded  (in  this  matter),  if  he  is  rich, 
it  is  incumbent  on  the  trustees  (of  the  House  of  Jus- 
tice) to  recover  from  him  the  amount  required  for 
the  education  of  the  children;  otherwise  (i.  e.,  if  the 
parent  is  not  capable)  the  matter  shall  devolve  on  the 
House  of  Justice.  Verily  We  have  made  it  (the 
House  of  Justice)  an  asylum  for  the  poor  and  needy. 
He  who  educates  his  son,  or  any  other's  children, 
it  is  as  though  he  hath  educated  one  of  My  children. 
Upon  such  an  one  be  My  Baha,  My  Providence  and 
My  Mercy,  which  hath  embraced  all  in  the  world ! 

THE  EIGHTH  ISHRAK: 

This  passage  is  written,  at  this  time,  by  the  Su- 
preme Pen  and  is  accounted  of  the  Book  of  Akdas. 
The  affairs  of  the  people  are  in  charge  of  the  men  of 
the  House  of  Justice  of  God.  They  are  the  trustees 
of  God  among  His  servants  and  the  sources  of  com- 
mand in  His  countries. 

O  people  of  God!  The  trainer  of  the  world  is 
Justice  for  it  consists  of  two  pillars,  Reward  and 
Retribution.  These  two  pillars  are  two  fountains 
for  the  life  of  the  people  of  the  world. 

Inasmuch  as  for  each  day  and  time  a  particular 
decree  or  order  is  expedient,  affairs  are  therefore  en- 
trusted to  the  House  of  Justice,  so  that  it  may  exe- 

37 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

cute  that  which  it  deems  advisable  at  the  time.  Those 
souls  who  arise  to  serve  the  Cause  sincerely,  to  please 
God,  shall  be  inspired  by  the  invisible  Inspiration  of 
God.  It  is  incumbent  upon  all  to  obey  (them,  i.  e., 
the  men  of  the  House  of  Justice) . 

Administrative  affairs  are  all  in  charge  of  the 
House  of  Justice,  and  devotional  acts  must  be  ob- 
served according  as  they  are  revealed  in  the  Book. 

O  people  of  Baha!  Ye  are  dawning-places  of  the 
Love  and  day-springs  of  the  Favor  of  God.  Defile 
not  the  tongues  with  cursing  and  execrating  anyone 
and  guard  your  eyes  from  that  which  is  not  worthy. 
Show  forth  that  which  ye  possess  (Truth,  etc.).  If 
it  is  accepted,  the  aim  is  attained;  if  not,  interference 
(with  or  rebuke  of  those  who  reject  it)  is  not  allow- 
able. Leave  him  to  himself,  and  advance  toward 
God,  the  Protector,  the  Self-subsistent.  Be  not  the 
cause  of  sorrow  (to  anyone),  how  much  less  of  sedi- 
tion and  strife!  It  is  hoped  ye  may  be  trained  under 
the  shadow  of  the  tree  of  Divine  Favor  and  act  in 
that  which  God  desireth.  Ye  are  all  leaves  of  one 
tree  and  drops  of  one  sea. 

THE  NINTH  ISHRAK: 

The  Religion  of  God  and  the  Creed  of  God  hath 
been  revealed  and  made  manifest  from  the  heaven 
of  the  Will  of  the  King  of  Pre-existence  for  the  sake 
of  union  and  harmony  among  the  people  of  the 

38 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

world ;  make  it  not  a  means  for  disagreement  and  dis- 
cord! 

The  Religion  of  God  and  His  Law  is  the  greatest 
cause  and  mightiest  means  for  the  appearance  and 
effulgence  of  the  Orb  of  Unity.  The  development  of 
the  world,  the  training  of  nations,  the  tranquility  of 
the  servants  and  the  security  of  the  people  of  all 
lands  have  been  due  to  the  Divine  Precepts  and  Ord- 
inances. Religion  is  the  greatest  cause  for  (the  ap- 
pearance of)  this  great  gift.  It  bestows  the  cup  of 
vitality,  confers  immortal  life  and  imparts  eternal 
benefit  (to  the  people).  The  Rulers  of  the  earth, 
especially  the  trustees  of  the  House  of  Justice,  must 
make  abundant  effort  to  preserve  this  station  and 
guard  and  promote  it.  Likewise  it  is  necessary  that 
they  should  inquire  into  the  conditions  of  the  sub- 
jects and  be  acquainted  with  the  deeds  and  affairs 
of  every  one  in  the  communities. 

We  ask  the  manifestors  of  the  Divine  Power,  that 
is,  kings  and  leaders,  to  endeavor,  perchance  dis- 
cord may  vanish  and  the  world  be  illumined  with  the 
light  of  accord.  All  must  adhere  to  and  practice 
that  which  hath  been  revealed  from  the  Supreme  Pen. 
The  True  One  testifies  and  the  atoms  of  the  universe 
bear  witness  that  We  have  spoken  and  revealed  in 
Tablets  and  Epistles  from  the  Supreme  Pen  that 
which  is  conducive  to  the  exaltation,  elevation,  train- 
ing, protection  and  progress  of  the  people  of  the 
earth.  We  beg  of  God  to  strengthen  the  servants. 

39 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

What  this  Oppressed  One  requires  of  all  is  Justice 
and  Equity.  Let  them  not  satisfy  themselves  with 
mere  hearing,  but  reflect  upon  that  which  hath  pro- 
ceeded from  this  Oppressed  One.  I  swear  by  the  Sun 
of  Divine  Utterance  which  hath  arisen  from  the  hor- 
izon of  the  Kingdom  of  the  Clement  One,  that  were 
there  an  exponent  or  speaker  to  be  found  We  would 
not  have  made  ourself  an  object  of  censure,  derision 
and  calumnies  on  the  part  of  the  people. 

Upon  Our  arrival  at  Irak  (Baghdad)  the  Cause 
of  God  was  in  (a  state  of)  inactivity  and  the  fra- 
grances of  Revelation  had  ceased.  Most  (of  the  be- 
lievers) were  found  to  be  withered,  nay  dead  1  There- 
fore, the  Trumpet  was  sounded  "  for  a  second  time  " 
and  this  blessed  Word  flowed  from  the  Tongue  of 
Grandeur:  "We  have  blown  in  the  Trumpet  for  a 
second  time."  Thus  We  quickened  the  world  with 
the  fragrances  of  Revelation  and  Inspiration ! 

Now,  from  behind  every  covering  (a  number  of), 
souls  have  emerged,  intent  upon  (persecuting)  this 
Wronged  One.  They  have  obstructed  (the  flowing 
of)  this  mighty  Benefit  and  have  rejected  it! 

O  people  of  Justice!  If  this  matter  were  to  be 
denied,  what  matter  in  this  earth  can  be  worthy  of 
demonstration,  or  deserves  to  be  acknowledged? 
The  contradictors  are  collecting  the  Verses  (Revela- 
tion) of  this  Manifestation,  and  with  whomsoever 
they  have  found  them,  have  seized  them  by  the  means 
of  showing  (pretended)  love.  With  (the  people 

40 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

of)  every  sect,  they  account  themselves  of  the  same 
sect!  Say,  die  ye  in  your  wrath;  verily,  He  hath 
come  with  a  matter  which  no  possessor  of  sight,  bear- 
ing, perspicacity,  justice  and  equity  can  deny.  Where- 
unto  testifieth  the  Pfcn  of  Pre-existence  at  this  mani- 
fest time ! 

O  Jaleel!  Upon  thee  be  My  Glory!  We  com- 
mand the  friends  of  the  True  One  to  (do)  good 
deeds;  perchance  they  may  succeed  and  act  in  accord 
with  that  which  hath  been  revealed  from  the  heaven 
of  Command.  The  benefit  of  the  Utterance  of  the 
Merciful  One  goes  to  those  who  practice.  We  beg 
of  God  to  strengthen  them  in  that  which  He  loveth 
and  approveth,  to  enable  them  to  (act  with)  justice 
and  equity  in  this  irrefutable  Command,  to  make 
known  unto  them  His  Signs  *  and  to  direct  them 
unto  His  Right  Path. 

His  Holiness,  the  Precursor  (the  BAB)  —  May  the 
lives  of  all  else  save  Him  be  a  sacrifice  to  Him!  — 
hath  revealed  (certain)  Ordinances,  but  the  world  of 
Command  hath  been  made  dependent  upon  (Our) 
acceptance.  This  Wronged  One  has,  therefore,  en- 
forced some  of  them  and  revealed  them  in  a  differ- 
ent text,  in  the  Book  of  Akdas,  while  We  have  not 
adopted  some  others.  The  matter  is  in  His  (God's) 
Hand.  He  doeth  whatsoever  He  willeth  and  order- 
eth  whatsoever  He  desireth,  and  He  is  the  Mighty, 
the  Praised  One! 

Verses. 

41 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

Some  other  commandments  have  been  also  revealed 
in  (the  style  of)  prayer.  Blessed  are  those  who 
attain!  Blessed  are  those  who  practice! 

The  people  of  God  must  bestow  abundant  effort, 
that,  perchance,  the  fire  of  animosity  and  hatred 
which  is  concealed  in  the  breasts  of  peoples  may  be 
quenched  by  the  Kawther  *  of  the  Utterances  and  Ex- 
hortations of  the  Object  of  the  creatures,  and  the 
trees  of  being  be  decorated  with  wonderful  and  excel- 
lent fruits.  Verily  He  is  the  compassionate  and 
beneficent  Exhorter! 

The  Glory  shining  and  gleaming  from  the  horizon 
of  the  Heaven  of  Bestowal  be  upon  you,  O  people 
of  Baha,  and  upon  every  one  who  is  firm  and  stead- 
fast and  upon  every  staunch  and  knowing  one ! 

As  to  thy  question  concerning  the  interest  and 
profit  of  gold  and  silver: 

Some  years  ago,  the  (following)  Utterance  was 
revealed  from  the  Kingdom  of  the  Merciful  One, 
particularly  for  the  Name  of  God,  Zein'ul-MokarVa- 
been  —  Upon  him  be  BahaVllah  El-Abha!  This 
is  His  (God's)  exalted  saying:  Most  of  the  people 
are  found  to  be  in  need  of  this  matter  (interest,  etc.)  ; 
for  if  no  interest  be  allowed,  affairs  (business)  shall 
be  trammeled  and  obstructed.  A  person  who  may  be 
willing  to  treat  his  kind,  countryman  or  brother,  with 
consideration  and  have  regard  for  him  (in  business 


*  River  of  Paradise. 

42 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

matters)  is  to  be  found  very  seldom;  that  is,  a  per- 
son is  rarely  found  who  would  loan  money  to  any- 
one upon  the  principle  of  "  Gharzi  Hassan."  *  Con- 
sequently, out  of  favor  to  the  servants,  We  have  ap- 
pointed "  profit  on  money  "  to  be  current,  among 
other  business  transactions  which  are  in  force  among 
people.  That  is,  from  this  moment  when  this  mani- 
fest Ordinance  is  being  sent  down  from  the  Heaven 
of  Will,  it  is  allowable,  lawful  and  pure  (for  people) 
to  charge  interest  on  their  money,  in  order  that  the 
people  of  the  earth  may  engage  in  praising  the  Be- 
loved One  of  all  the  creatures  with  the  utmost  joy 
and  fragrance,  happiness  and  exultation.  Verily, 
He  ordereth  in  whatsoever  way  He  willeth ;  and  He 
makes  "  interest  on  money  "  lawful,  even  as  He  had 
formerly  f  made  it  unlawful.  The  Kingdom  of  Com- 
mand is  in  His  Grasp;  He  doeth  and  ordereth,  and 
He  is  the  Commander,  the  Knower ! 

O  Zein'ul-Mokar'rabeen !  Thank  thy  Lord  for 
this  manifest  grace. 

The  Mullas  of  Persia  (I.  e.y  the  clergy  of  Islam) 
have  been  mostly  engaged  in  exacting  usury  (for  the 
money  they  loaned),  with  a  hundred  thousand  decep- 


*  Literally,  "  good  loan ;  "  i.  e.,  money  advanced  without  interest  and 
repaid  at  the  pleasure  of  the  borrower. 

f "  Interest  on  money,"  under  the  name  "  Riba,"  i.  e.,  "  usury," 
was  forbidden  in  the  Islam  Dispensation. 


43 


Tablet  of  Ishrakat 

tions  and  fraud;  but  they  would  outwardly  wrap  it 
in  the  garment  of  lawfulness.  They  make  a  play- 
thing of  the  Commands  of  God  and  His  Laws,  and 
they  understand  not! 

But  this  matter  (charging  interest  on  money)  must 
be  conducted  with  moderation  and  justice.  The  Su- 
preme Pen  has  withheld  itself  from  laying  down  its 
limits,  as  a  wisdom  from  His  Presence  and  as  a  con- 
venience for  His  servants.  We  exhort  the  friends 
of  God  to  act  with  justice  and  equity  and  (to  act) 
in  such  a  way  that  the  mercy  of  His  beloved  ones, 
and  their  compassion,  may  be  manifested  toward  each 
other.  Verily,  He  is  the  Adviser,  the  Compassionate, 
the  Beneficent! 

God  willing,  all  may  succeed  (in  doing)  that 
which  hath  flowed  from  the  Tongue  of  the  True 
One.  If  they  practice  that  which  has  been  men- 
tioned, God  —  Exalted  in  His  Glory  —  will  indubit- 
ably bestow  upon  them,  from  the  Heaven  of  Grace, 
double  (the  mercy  they  show  each  other  in  their  deal- 
ings). Verily,  He  is  the  Gracious,  the  Forgiver,  the 
Merciful ! 

Praise  be  to  God,  the  Exalted,  the  Great ! 

But  the  execution  of  these  matters  has  been  placed 
in  charge  of  the  men  of  the  House  of  Justice,  in 
order  that  they  may  act  in  accord  with  the  exigencies 
of  time  and  wisdom. 


44 


Tablet   of  Ishrakat 

Again,  We  exhort  all  to  (act  in)  justice,  equity, 
love  and  good  will.  Verily  they  are  the  people  of 
Baha  and  the  companions  of  the  Red  Ark.  Upon 
them  be  the  Peace  of  God,  the  Lord  of  Names  and 
the  Maker  of  Heaven! 


The  end  of  the  combined  "  Tablet  of  The  Most 
Great  Infallibility  "  and  the  "  Ishrakat." 


45 


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